J&K: Mehbooba Mufti accuses BJP of forcing people to stand for national anthem at ‘gunpoint’

“It is unfortunate that the BJP has pushed this place to a spot where they are forcing people to stand for the national anthem at gunpoint. I remember my student days, we used to stand in respect of the national anthem whenever it was played. There was no coercion. It is their failure,” Mufti said during a visit to a playground in the Baghat area of Srinagar, reported Hindustan Times.

Her comments came in response to the detention of a dozen youths seen sitting while the national anthem was played at the TRC football ground on Tuesday evening.

During her visit to the Muslim Educational Trust (MET) school playground at Baghat-e-Barzulla, Mehbooba expressed concern over reports that the land could be used to construct a martyrs’ memorial.

“I appeal to the DGP to intervene in the matter and spare the MET school ground so that the youth and residents can continue using the public space for sports and other communal activities like marriages. If this ground is also snatched, the youth might go astray and fall prey to drugs or other unwanted activities,” she said.

She also visited a dairy farm ground in Chattabal, interacting with locals who have been demanding that the facility remain open as it is their only available sports venue.