Mufti urged the central government to work with the people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than adopt a hardline approach. She alleged that the difficulties faced by people in the region had increased since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
She also raised concerns over the heavy deployment of security forces, raids and the detention of young people. According to Mufti, the government presents silence in Jammu and Kashmir as peace and normalcy, whereas she believes that the prevailing silence reflects fear rather than a return to normal conditions.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mufti said the Jammu and Kashmir issue should be resolved through the principles of humanity, unity and Kashmiriyat. She appealed to the central government to understand the situation in the region and take the concerns of its people into account.
The PDP chief also referred to an incident in Haryana in which stones were allegedly thrown at a bus carrying Kashmiris. She said people from Jammu and Kashmir continued to be viewed with suspicion and described such incidents as a cause for concern.
Taking a swipe at the Centre, Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir had chosen to join an India envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B. R. Ambedkar. She stressed the importance of remembering the circumstances under which Jammu and Kashmir became part of India.
“Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India took place under certain circumstances, and those circumstances must be remembered,” she said.
Mufti also appealed to the central government to avoid using force to maintain its hold over the region. Emphasising the need for cooperation rather than coercion, she said, “Instead of dragging Jammu and Kashmir along with you, hold its hand and walk alongside it.”
Her remarks on Accession Day brought the debate over Article 370, the circumstances of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, and the Centre’s approach towards the region back into focus, with Mufti calling for engagement with the people rather than a reliance on strict measures.
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