Mehbooba faces embarrassment as 'azadi' slogans reverberate in govt function

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had to face an embarrassment after scores of women on Tuesday stormed out of a government function at SKICC here alleging they were "deceived" to take part in the event.

Mehbooba was hastily escorted out of the venue by her security after protesting women raised pro-freedom slogans before storming out of the event, eyewitnesses told Deccan Herald. 

Some women even flung chairs in the air, they said and added the chaos had begun early in the morning when some of the women - mostly from south Kashmir which has seen an upsurge in violence since July last year - raised pro-freedom slogans outside the SKICC the event was being held. 

Sources said security agencies had warned the organisers that trouble was brewing and that the Chief Minister should stay away. However, the organisers - J&K Rural Development Department - didn't agree and insisted the function should go ahead as per the schedule. 

The Chief Minister was scheduled to interact with women's self-help groups of the



valley at the function organized as part of State Rural Livelihoods Mission named 'Umeed' scheme. The goal of the scheme is to either enhance their existing livelihoods or to create new livelihood so as to bring rural families out of poverty.

Later talking to reporters Mehboob tried to downplay the incident. "Women were present in large numbers and probably a lady fainted. She didn't get water and others panicked. Hope this programme is organized again because it is an important event," she said.

Soon after the incident Opposition leaders criticized the ruling party and the Chief Minister. National Conference working president and former CM Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and retweeted a post of his party spokesperson Junaid Azim Matu Women storm out of @MehboobaMufti's event at SKICC and raise Azaadi slogans. Say they were coerced to attend the function. Wake up @JKPDP," Matu had tweeted.

Omar retweeted the post and wrote, "This is what happens when the machinery of Govt is used for the sole purpose of rebuilding @MehboobaMufti's non-existing credibility."