ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash EP-220 | PDP-NC 'Betrayed' Kashmir? | Time for New Leadership in J&K? | JKWP Chief Mir Junaid
Mir Junaid is a Kashmiri politician and social activist widely recognized for his strong support of the abrogation of Article 370 and his advocacy for peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. As the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, Mir Junaid has actively engaged in grassroots politics, with a focus on enhancing stability and fostering economic growth in the region. He is often seen as a strong supporter of India's sovereignty and integration of Jammu and Kashmir, and he has been instrumental in raising awareness about the challenges faced by the people in the valley. He is set to contest the upcoming J&K Assembly elections from the Langate constituency in Kupwara district.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mir Junaid opens up about his decision to support the abrogation of Article 370 and aims the National Conference and People's Democratic Party, the two dominant political forces in Jammu and Kashmir. He accuses them of fueling violence in the region, claiming they exploited the emotions of the Kashmiri people for political gains. He also charges them with colluding with militants, often calling off military operations to protect insurgents, and blames them for the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990s. Junaid emphasizes that his party, the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, is committed to fighting for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
Junaid also highlights the BJP's recent move to grant reservations to the region's ethnic minorities, fulfilling a longstanding demand. He also adds that this decision prompted his wife, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai's decision to join the BJP. He also recalls the incident when he was attacked by Pakistani nationals at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Firmly opposed to any dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Junaid argues that a country responsible for decades of bloodshed in the valley should not be welcomed to the negotiating table.
00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Supporting Abrogation of Article 370
05:25 - Exposing PDP & NC
09:44 - Rahul Gandhi's J&K Campaign
11:36 - NC-PDP Supported Militants?
13:30 - Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus
16:40 - Promise of 'Naya' Kashmir
17:59 - Politics of the Abdullahs
20:23 - BJP's Entry in J&K
22:47 - Fight for Statehood
24:23 - Who Will Form Govt. in J&K?
32:31 - Rise of Engineer Rashid
34:58 - ISI's Attack on Mir Junaid in USA
36:23 - Kashmir's Youth Voters
39:12 - Ethnic Minorities in J&K
43:32 - BJP Supporting Independent Candidates?
45:47 - Mir Junaid's Vision for Kashmir
48:12 - Election Promises
55:19 - Dr. Shehnaz Ganai's Move to Join BJP
57:27 - Should India Hold Dialogue with Pakistan?
59:07 - Security Situation in J&K