Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has called upon her party workers to remain steadfast in pursuing the political agenda laid out by the party’s founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, emphasizing the restoration of Article 370 as a core component of this vision. Mufti’s directive comes in the wake of her and her daughter, Iltija, being named in a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kothibagh police station for allegedly assaulting an on-duty police officer. Mufti asserted that she and Iltija are being targeted for voicing their opinions and urged party cadres to continue the struggle for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, even if they face imprisonment.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Iltija has been summoned for questioning at the Kothibagh police station. Addressing party workers at the PDP headquarters, Mufti stated, “Iltija has been called to the Kothibagh police station. She will go. (If) they call me tomorrow, I will also go. But, remember one thing: whether I or Iltija are inside (jail) or outside, you will not leave Sayeed’s agenda, vision and the roadmap that he has given for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Article 370 is a part of that (roadmap).” She further added, “They (the BJP government) trampled the Constitution, and a time will come when they will have to correct it. But you do not have to lose courage.”
Mufti urged her party to remain unfazed and reiterated the PDP’s commitment to its peaceful and democratic struggle for the restoration of Article 370, which was abrogated by the central government on August 5, 2019. “If you have to save the real Jammu and Kashmir, its land and resources, then you have to remain steadfast. I am here now; I may not be here tomorrow. Whether I or Iltija are here or not, the PDP will continue its peaceful and democratic struggle for the restoration of Article 370,” she declared.
The PDP president highlighted that the targeting of her party is not a new phenomenon. “Our party was broken, and new parties were created. Those parties defended the abrogation of Article 370 in the country. The targeting of the PDP is still going on. Why was there no action against the National Conference or Congress or others? Talking about (Article) 370 has become a crime. Those who talk about (Article) 370 are branded criminals,” Mufti stated.
She expressed her gratitude to the party workers who had gathered to protest on the evening of August 4 and the following day. “I thank you all for showing the country’s institutions that Article 370 and 35A live in the hearts of the people, no matter what,” she said. Mufti claimed that the PDP was the sole party advocating for the restoration of Article 370, while other political groups were primarily focused on the restoration of statehood. “The National Conference, Congress and Apni Party also took out protests, but they protested for statehood. PDP is the only party which protested for the resolution of the Kashmir issue along with (Article 370),” she asserted.
Addressing the summoning of her daughter, Iltija, Mufti questioned the treatment meted out to her, emphasizing that Iltija was unarmed. “The way she was dealt with, she will respond to that. (But), a lady officer told a constable to drag her (Iltija) away. Should a man touch a girl? They are saying that she attacked the police. When you grab a girl here (by her collar), what will she do? Our big leaders should be ashamed,” Mufti remarked.
She criticized the response from other political leaders, stating, “Rather than condemning that, they are singing different tunes because they do not want to talk about Article 370.” Mufti’s remarks underscore the ongoing political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir and the PDP’s continued focus on the abrogation of Article 370 as a central issue in their political discourse. The legal challenges faced by Mufti and her daughter are seen by the party as an attempt to stifle dissent and silence opposition to the current political dispensation in the region. The PDP’s stance suggests a commitment to continuing its political activities and advocacy, irrespective of potential legal repercussions.
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.