Srinagar, July 28: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday used the party’s 27th Foundation Day to reaffirm its long-standing political agenda—including the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, statehood, dialogue on Kashmir and reopening of cross-Line of Control routes—while also explaining and
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Mufti said the PDP had endured repeated attacks since its formation but remained committed to the vision of its founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
“I am happy that the vision and ideology given by Mufti Sahib continue to guide the PDP,” she said, adding that district-level Foundation Day celebrations had been postponed because of recent heavy rains, flood-like conditions in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and disruptions caused by the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
She congratulated party workers for standing by the PDP despite sustained political pressure.
“Despite completing 27 years, our party has repeatedly come under attack. We have faced countless assaults, but our workers and colleagues have stood firmly with us and remained part of this struggle.
“Reiterates Kashmir agenda
Reading out resolutions adopted by the party, Mufti said the PDP’s foremost objective remained “to seek a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.”
“The first and foremost commitment of the PDP—the very reason for its existence—is to seek a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Along with that, we remain committed to the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, the identity of Jammu and Kashmir, and the restoration of statehood.”
She said the party would continue pursuing Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s vision of “peace with dignity.”
“If Mufti Sahib’s slogan of ‘peace with dignity’ is to become a reality, then dialogue, reconciliation and confidence-building measures are essential.”
Mufti also reiterated the party’s demand for reopening cross-LoC travel and trade routes.
“We want these historic routes—whether across the Line of Control or elsewhere—to be reopened for travel, trade and communication. We will continue our struggle for this objective.”
She urged the Centre to reopen the Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot routes for trade and demanded that the Sharada Peeth shrine in Pakistan-administered Kashmir be opened for Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims.
Calls for review of detentions
Mufti sought a review of cases of political detainees and undertrials held under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
“Many undertrials have been kept in prison under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) without their cases progressing.”
She added that even those granted bail continued to remain in jail.
“Until their guilt is established in a court of law, they should be released on bail.”
The PDP chief also called for reducing the Army’s presence in areas where militancy had declined.
“We also believe that in areas where militancy has significantly declined—as the Government of India itself repeatedly claims—there is no justification for such a heavy deployment of the Army.”
Raises resource and power issues
Mufti accused the government of allowing exploitation of Jammu and Kashmir’s natural resources by outside contractors and questioned why residents continued to pay high electricity bills despite the Union Territory’s hydroelectric potential.
“Our greatest natural resource is water, which is used to generate electricity that is supplied across the country. Yet the people of Jammu and Kashmir themselves are forced to pay exorbitant electricity bills.”
She demanded either greater compensation or the transfer of at least two power projects to Jammu and Kashmir.
She also renewed the demand for a separate administrative division for the Pir Panjal region and reiterated the PDP’s commitment to the “dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits.”
August 5 protests
Referring to the August 5, 2019 constitutional changes, Mufti announced peaceful protests across Jammu and Kashmir.
“August 5 is the day on which everything was taken away from us.”
She said party workers in every district would hold peaceful demonstrations demanding restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Defends herself against political attacks
A significant portion of Mufti’s press conference focused on what she described as the personal and political costs of speaking on Kashmir-related issues.
“I have already paid a heavy price for doing so, and so has my party.”
Listing actions allegedly taken against her family, she said her daughter Iltija Mufti’s passport had been blocked, her elderly mother and brother had been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, one sister’s bank accounts in the United States had been frozen and another sister’s accounts in Chennai had also been frozen.
“As for me, I was repeatedly summoned by the ED, evicted from my house, and subjected to every kind of pressure. Yet I have continued to stand by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
She said her political standing came from the people rather than family inheritance.
“I did not receive a crown from my father or grandfather. Whatever I have today, after Allah, has been given to me by the people of this land.”
Explains Jantar Mantar remarks
Responding to the controversy over her recent remarks at Jantar Mantar, Mufti said she had attended the protest at the request of Kashmiri students studying outside Jammu and Kashmir.
“I did not go there on my own. Young people from Kashmir called me and requested that I come.”
She said the students believed her presence could help because they often faced harassment after militant attacks.
During the interaction with journalists at Jantar Mantar, Mufti had used the word “bahana” (excuse) while referring to militancy, a remark that drew criticism.
“I said that militancy becomes a bahana (an excuse). I did not use that word accidentally or in haste. I thought about it before saying it.”
However, she said the remark had subsequently been interpreted differently from what she intended.
“That single word was blown completely out of proportion.”
Drawing parallels with criticism she faced during her Congress days in the late 1990s over raising human rights issues, Mufti accused rival political parties of attempting to undermine her credibility.
“I never accumulated wealth, built lavish houses, bought expensive cars or lived a life of luxury. Instead, I built a relationship of trust and credibility with the people, and every effort is being made to damage that credibility.”
Apologises if remarks hurt sentiments
While insisting that the video circulating on social media was authentic, Mufti said her phrasing had been misunderstood because she had been answering multiple questions continuously.
“I am not saying that the video circulating on social media is fake. No, the video is genuine.”
“But the expression that ‘it becomes an excuse’ slipped into my remarks. I was speaking continuously to many people, and that phrase was interpreted differently from what I intended.”
She concluded by apologising if her words had hurt public sentiment.
“If my words, or the fact that my statement remained incomplete, caused pain or hurt the sentiments of my people, then I sincerely apologise.”
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir consider me one of their own. Even a small mistake on my part upsets them, and therefore I seek their forgiveness if they felt hurt.”
