Mehbooba forced to leave women’s event

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was forced to leave a women’s self-help group (SHG) function here on Tuesday when the crowd shouted slogans against her.

Mehbooba, who was hastily escorted out of the venue by her security, sought to downplay the incident and told reporters that her government was trying to help women and she would continue her efforts in this regard.

The women, who had come to participate in an interactive session with Mehbooba on the promotion of SHGs, said they were fooled into attending a function addressed by the CM. Eyewitnesses said woman raised “azaadi” slogans while the function was on. Videos of women protesting went viral and were shared by the opposition National Conference leaders.

Speaking to the media outside the venue, some women said they were bought to the function as part of the ‘Umeed’ scheme for what the officials claimed a meeting organised by the government for women SHGs at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here. The women said they were not told about the presence of the CM. “We were told that an interactive session will be held with officials about the scheme,” said one of the protesters.

“Umeed is a good initiative. We deposit ₹100 every month and when need be, can take loan from the group. It has benefited rural woman like us,” said Suraya, who along with a group had come from Pulwama. The young woman with her face covered was quick to add that the presence of the CM irked them. “We did not want to see Mehbooba Mufti, where was she when our brothers were dying,” she added.

While scores of women were seen raising slogans, there were many others who looked hassled and wanted to leave the venue.

Around 8,000 women volunteers of SHGs under the ‘Umeed’ scheme from Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Bandipore, Ganderbal and other areas were present at the venue.