PDP President Mehbooba Mufti prioritizes restoration of basic rights over elections in J&K

17-05-2023 : Recently, Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke with reporters about the priorities of her party in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Although she acknowledged the significance of the election issue, she asserted that the PDP’s main priority is the restoration of the people’s fundamental rights. Mehbooba emphasized the significance of preserving peoples’ rights to freedom of expression and movement, both of which are currently curtailed.

Mehbooba further discussed the plight of Kashmiri detainees who are being held in various jails across the country since 2019. She expressed her concern that their families do not have the resources to mount a legal battle and that their cases are rarely being heard. If the PDP had the resources, they would have fought these cases in the Supreme Court, she said.

Regarding the recent comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah about Article 370, Mehbooba stated that she cannot engage in a discussion about its importance with those who have destroyed the Constitution of the country. She alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not respecting the constitution of the country and has implemented a communal agenda. She further claimed that the BJP does not understand the significance of Article 370, which was a bridge between Jammu and Kashmir and the country that they have broken.

Mehbooba also criticized the government’s attempt to showcase normalcy in the valley to the international community by holding a G20 meeting in Kashmir. She stated that people are being harassed and that agencies like NIA, SIA, and SIU are carrying out daily raids. Schools have been shut for 10 days, and shopkeepers have been told to keep their shops open, leading to a threatening environment. In this situation, presenting Kashmir as a trophy in the G20 by painting a picture of normalcy is not acceptable, she said.

Regarding the recent violence in a Jammu medical college over “The Kerala Story,” Mehbooba blamed the BJP government for promoting hate and division in society through such movies. She stated that this led to the argument over “The Kerala Story” and the resulting violence in the GMC Jammu. Mehbooba called for the nation to act sensibly on such matters, as the people of Karnataka did in the recent elections.

Finally, Mehbooba welcomed action against those involved in killings, including those of Kashmiri Pandits, but questioned why they were forced to flee to Jammu after living through the worst of times over the past 30 years. She also asked why Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been under house arrest for many years now, has not been released.