Srinagar: While the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory observed a holiday on the occasion of Accession Day, today, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti invoked the promises made by the nation at the time of accession to India.
Addressing a press conference at the PDP headquarters in Srinagar, Mufti accused the BJP-led Centre of silencing dissent, weakening constitutional safeguards and mistaking public silence for acceptance, while urging Indians to uphold the values on which the relationship was founded.
She added that while Kashmir continues to be discussed internationally and remains a political issue in national elections, adding, “Turkey and Pakistan raise the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and Kashmir becomes an election issue in different parts of India, but the people of Kashmir are not allowed to talk about it. Kashmiris remain where they stood in 1947,” she said.
Accusing BJP of undermining the constitutional framework that once governed Jammu and Kashmir and attempting to project what she termed “enforced peace” as a political achievement, she said that Kashmir remains one of the world’s most militarised regions and linked the present situation to decades of political mistrust that emerged after the plebiscite movement led by former J&K Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, Mufti said the Instrument of Accession was not merely a legal document but represented commitments made to the people of the region.
She alleged that developments since August 2019 had deepened political alienation in the region and claimed that people increasingly feel marginalised despite Jammu and Kashmir’s continued strategic importance.
PDP chief also referred to alleged incidents of detentions, arrests and use of force, claiming that thousands of people had been detained during security operations and that many political prisoners continued to remain in jails despite securing court relief.
She expressed concern over the health of several detained separatist leaders and questioned why individuals continued to face legal hurdles even after obtaining bail from courts.
Calling for a political outreach, Mufti urged the Centre to adopt a humane approach towards resolving the Kashmir issue, saying, “You may have control over the land, but you must make an effort to resolve this issue humanely.”
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s approach towards Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti said he had recognised that Kashmir was ultimately a human issue requiring a political and humane response.
Appealing to the citizens of India, Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir had joined an India that embodied the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar and promised equal rights to all citizens.
“Those rights are now being eroded. I appeal to the people of this country to remember those founding principles and protect the rights that were promised to us,” she said.
