The National Conference (NC) has formally demanded an apology from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti concerning her recent statements regarding the use of force against protesters in the Valley. The controversy was ignited when NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar shared a video clip of Mufti’s appearance at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where she drew a parallel between demonstrators there and those in Kashmir.
In the widely circulated clip, Mufti is heard remarking on the presence of individuals without official badges assisting Delhi Police in managing protesters, a scene she contrasted with occurrences in Kashmir. She stated, “Although we have seen this in Kashmir for years, there is militancy, so it is understood that it was militants on one side and security forces on the other. But here (in Delhi) there is no militancy, and the protesters neither have stones nor weapons in their hands. They were protesting in a non-violent manner.” This statement, according to the NC, implies a justification for past actions in Kashmir. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the NC views this as an endorsement of the use of force against Kashmiris.
NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar expressed strong disapproval on the social media platform X, writing, “I am appalled beyond words. Mehbooba Mufti unabashedly and casually brands every Kashmiri protester a ‘militant’. The kids, the little girls… just everyone was a militant, she says. She goes on to justify the brutal use of force against Kashmiris. And then she goes on her classic act of shedding tears for their release from detention.” The NC’s official X handle also shared a clip, adding, “If you happen to be a Kashmiri who is protesting for his/her rights, aap pe force use karna to ‘banta hai’. Wow.” This sentiment was echoed by Zadibal MLA and senior NC leader Tanvir Sadiq, who stated, “For a former Chief Minister to virtually justify the use of force against Kashmiri protesters by saying ‘banta hai’ is nothing short of disgraceful. Worse still, she has gone to the extent of branding protesting Kashmiris as ‘militants’.”
The criticism extended beyond the National Conference. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also weighed in, commenting, “I am neither shocked nor surprised by Mehbooba Mufti’s latest video statement in which she draws a parallel between the Gen Z protesters at Jantar Mantar and those who used to protest in Kashmir, and goes on to describe Kashmir’s protesters as militants.” Bukhari’s statement indicates a broad political disapproval of Mufti’s remarks across different parties in the region.
However, PDP MLA Waheed Para offered a defense of Mehbooba Mufti’s statement, alleging that the National Conference had disseminated an edited version of the video. According to Para, Mufti’s remarks were made within a specific context. He clarified, “The statement by Mehbooba Mufti was made in the context that whatever happens in Kashmir is being extended to other parts of the country. She said that because of terrorism and militancy, the government justifies the use of force against protesters in Kashmir, but the same cannot be justified in Delhi, where the situation is entirely different.” This counter-narrative suggests that Mufti was critiquing the differential treatment and justification of state actions based on the presence of militancy, rather than endorsing the use of force itself.
The exchange highlights the persistent political sensitivities surrounding the history of conflict and security operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti, a prominent figure with extensive experience as a former Chief Minister, has often been at the forefront of discussions concerning the region’s political future and the legacy of past security measures. Her comments, regardless of intent, have invariably drawn sharp reactions from political rivals who seek to capitalize on any perceived misstep. The National Conference, a long-standing political force in the Union Territory, has consistently positioned itself as a key opposition to the PDP, particularly on matters related to regional autonomy and governance.
The current political climate in Jammu and Kashmir remains charged, with various parties vying for influence and public support. Statements made by senior political leaders are scrutinized intensely, and often amplified through social media, leading to rapid escalation of political discourse. The NC’s demand for an apology underscores the deep divisions and the strategic maneuvering that characterize the political landscape of the region. The PDP’s defense, meanwhile, points to the ongoing efforts to frame narratives around the Kashmir issue and to counter what they perceive as misrepresentations by their political adversaries.
The debate over the use of force and the characterization of protesters in Kashmir is a complex and sensitive one, deeply intertwined with the region’s decades-long history of insurgency and counter-insurgency operations. The differing interpretations of Mufti’s remarks reflect the broader political fault lines and the ongoing contestation over historical memory and political legitimacy in Jammu and Kashmir. As the political discourse continues, such statements are likely to remain focal points of contention, shaping public opinion and influencing electoral dynamics.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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