Former JNU student leader Shehla Rashid reveals why she started supporting PM Modi; Here's why
New Delhi: Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Shehla Rashid expressed a shift in her perspective on Kashmir, stating that the region is not comparable to Gaza. She acknowledged changes in Jammu and Kashmir and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's policies for bringing about a bloodless political solution.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Rashid admitted to sympathizing with stone pelters in 2010 but indicated a change in her views. She emphasized that the current situation in Kashmir is distinct from Gaza, citing a reduction in protests and sporadic incidents of insurgency and infiltrations.
In 2010, yes," Shehla Rashid said. "But today, when I see it, I am much more grateful for today's situation. Kashmir is not Gaza, it has become clear that Kashmir is not Gaza, because Kashmir was just involved in these back-and-forth protests and sporadic incidents of insurgency and infiltrations," she said.
Rashid praised the present government, especially Modi and Shah, for breaking the ice and achieving a political solution without bloodshed. She previously commended the government's efforts to improve the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"All of those things, somebody needed to break the ice, and for that, I would like to credit the present government, especially the Prime Minister and the Home Minister."
The former student leader acknowledged her struggles at JNU, particularly after the sedition charges against former research scholar Umar Khalid and then JNU Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar in 2017. Rashid highlighted the backlash against JNU and emphasized that certain slogans, such as 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge' and 'Laal Salam,' were never raised at the university.
Umar Khalid, charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy, was arrested nearly two years ago in connection with the northeast Delhi riots. He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the incident.
Sharing the interview on social media, Rashid captioned it, “What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind.”
This was not the first time Rashid praised the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, in August this year, Rashid, who has been a vocal critic of the Modi government's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's autonomous status on August 5, 2019, as well as its subsequent division into two Union territories, praised the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for their efforts in improving the human rights situation in the Valley.
What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind. pic.twitter.com/s06cA2Q2ua
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) November 16, 2023
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Maharashtra Congress chief Patole meets Kharge, dismisses resignation talk as 'rumours'
New Delhi, Nov 25: Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Monday dismissed as "rumours" talk of his resignation following the assembly polls debacle and stressed on "collective accountability" for the defeat.
Patole made the remarks after meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during which he conveyed that the result had not reflected the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra.
"Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other national and state leaders were leading Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) from the forefront during the assembly polls. So, we were sure that the trends were in favour of Maha Vikas Aghadi, even the citizens believed that," the Maharashtra Congress chief said.
"If I talk about Nanded, the Lok Sabha bypolls and assembly elections were held on the same day. In Lok Sabha bypolls, our candidate was winning in six assembly seats, whereas, in the assembly elections, we are not winning even a single seat," he said, adding that there cannot be such a "huge difference".
This is the sentiment among the people also and they have stated that this government in Maharashtra was not being formed on their votes, he claimed.
"So, I spoke to Mallikarjun Kharge on this," he added.
Asked whether he had offered to resign or the party had asked for his resignation after the Maharashtra assembly polls defeat, Patole said, "These are all rumours and there is no truth in them. There is collective accountability."
Patole also said he will meet Rahul Gandhi in a day or two and discuss all issues.
"Democracy is being finished. We have discussed that... there was no talk of resignation," he said.
The MVA alliance, comprising the Congress, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT), was restrained to 46 seats by the Mahayuti that reaped a rich harvest of 230 seats in the 288-member House.
