Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that all political parties in Kashmir, irrespective of their politics, will get together to save the identity of the state whenever it is challenged.

“Like a fist, we all will be together when anyone challenges our identity. The parties here, despite our separate struggle for politics and power, will be one. Nobody can separate us then, we will be one as a fist,” Mehbooba said in her I-Day speech at Bakshi Stadium, as per KNS correspondent.

She hoped that Supreme Court will strike down the petition that is challenging our special status.

“But we have belief on the Supreme Court that it has, till now, dismissed any appeals and petition which challenged our identity. I have conviction that Supreme Court will strike down (the petition of 35 A) like it has done before,” she said.

The chief minister hoped that Government of India will resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

“Kashmir issue is a human issue and Vajpayee ji had said that Government of India will resolve the issue of Kashmir within the ambit of humanity. I hope that the Central Government will bring his (Vajpayee ji) promise into practice and take the people of Jammu and Kashmir out of this vortex through dialogue. Dialogue is also in our Agenda of Alliance,” she said.

She also appealed to Pakistan not play “negative” role in Kashmir.

“I hope that Pakistan understands that it will stop its negative role in Kashmir and respects dialogue process. Ways for smooth dialogue will be paved when Pakistan remembers its promise with Vajpayee that it will not use its land against India. I hope Pakistan remembers its promise and the two countries end their confrontation as it affects people in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

The CM also appealed to parents “with hands-folded, to give pen and books into their hands, not stones and guns”.

Opposition leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah was among the dignitaries present at the occasion.

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