Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti, has turned down an invitation from National Conference President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, to participate in a protest in New Delhi on July 20. The protest aimed at restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, but Mufti expressed concerns that focusing solely on statehood could legitimize the abrogation of Article 370.
In a letter to Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mufti thanked him for the invitation but stated that the PDP would not join the protest as it exclusively centered on statehood restoration. She emphasized that limiting the movement to statehood could overshadow the revocation of Article 370 and risk justifying the actions of August 5, 2019.
Mufti highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370, emphasizing the loss of constitutional guarantees that were integral to the region’s accession to India. She criticized the National Conference for narrowing the political struggle to statehood, which she believed aligned with the BJP’s political agenda.
Mufti urged for a broader political unity among regional parties and civil society in Jammu and Kashmir to address the constitutional and political issues faced by the region. She called for the release of political prisoners and the removal of restrictions on socio-political organizations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to political engagement beyond just statehood demands.
