Facade of normalcy created in J&K by imposition of draconian laws: Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti urges Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “to refrain from endorsing the August 5, 2019 decision (abrogation of Article 370) in the formulation of business rules for the assembly”
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday (February 16, 2025) asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “to come down from its high horse and acknowledge that the situation in J&K is not as normal as it appears”.
“The façade of normalcy has been created by the force of agencies and the imposition of draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). But this will not last forever. The government must reconsider its approach, reach out to the people, and build on the confidence-building measures initiated during my tenure,” Ms. Mufti said.
Ms. Mufti said the current elected administration has “failed to address the region’s economic and political challenges”. “What’s the difference between Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) rule and the National Conference government. Very little has changed on the ground, with crackdowns, repression, and disempowerment continuing unabated,” Ms. Mufti said.
She pointed out the ongoing crackdowns by security forces, property attachments and “persecution of the Jamaat-e-Islami”. “Employees are still being terminated; youth are arrested under UAPA; and the misuse of PSA remains unchecked. Kashmiri youth continue to languish in jails outside J&K with no relief.
So, what really has changed? The rulers may have changed, but the same cycle of suppression continues, just under a new rule,” Ms. Mufti said. “PDP revoked FIRs against thousands of youngsters (when in power) but the NC did not revoke even a single FIR,” she said.
Ms. Mufti asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “to refrain from endorsing the August 5, 2019 decision in the formulation of business rules for the assembly”. “Such a move would legitimize the illegal and unconstitutional actions taken by the BJP to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A,” she said.
The former Chief Minister said any endorsement by the J&K government would weaken this claim and diminish J&K’s position. “We have to keep the argument and narrative alive. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, many legal experts believe Article 370 cannot be abrogated by any authority, including Parliament,” she added.
Ms. Mufti also stressed the need to reopen key trade routes such as Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot to boost the region’s economy. “As Jammu is increasingly being sidelined, the Jammu-Sialkot route should also be revived to provide a market for Jammu’s products,” she said.
