Dialogue or Militarism? Mehbooba Mufti’s Blast Remarks Ignite BJP Counterattack
By: Javid Amin | 17 November 2025
The political temperature escalated on Monday after People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti linked the November 10 Delhi Red Fort blast to what she described as the Centre’s “failed and alienating” policies in Jammu & Kashmir. The BJP swiftly countered her remarks, accusing her of attempting to justify extremist narratives and mislead the public.
Mehbooba Mufti: “Kashmir’s troubles echoed at Red Fort”
Speaking on the aftermath of the blast—which killed multiple people and left dozens injured—Mehbooba Mufti argued that the incident reflects the deepening despair and radicalisation among Kashmiri youth.
She claimed:
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The Centre has created a poisonous political atmosphere, prioritising optics over reconciliation.
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The government’s repeated claim of “normalcy” in Kashmir is artificial and misleading.
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“The promise that stones will be replaced by laptops has failed,” she said, accusing the Union Government of neglecting genuine youth engagement.
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Ignoring political dialogue has “backfired,” leading to a spillover of Kashmir’s tensions into national security incidents.
Mehbooba warned that the Centre’s approach, driven by “divisive politics”, has alienated Kashmiris further, making them vulnerable to radicalisation.
BJP’s Sharp Rebuttal: “Irresponsible and dangerous”
The BJP condemned Mufti’s remarks, describing them as reckless and politically motivated.
BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania criticised Mufti for “issuing illogical and misleading statements” during a sensitive security situation.
He said:
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Mufti is “singing lullabies of marginalisation” that have no grounding in present realities.
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Her statements “unfairly stereotype Kashmiri youth as radicalised,” creating stigma and fear.
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Linking the blast to political grievances is “dangerous,” as it risks normalising or rationalising terror acts.
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Mufti’s past defence of militant Burhan Wani shows a “pattern of speaking the language of separatist sympathisers.”
The BJP leadership argued that the Centre’s security-first strategy is essential to maintaining peace and that Mufti’s narrative undermines national unity.
Backdrop: Tensions High After Delhi Blast
The November 10 explosion near the historic Red Fort has triggered a large-scale investigation involving Delhi Police, NIA and multiple intelligence agencies. Authorities are exploring the possibility of a “white-collar terror module” with links to individuals in Haryana and Kashmir.
The blast has already become a focus of political debate, with parties interpreting it through different ideological lenses.
Competing Narratives
PDP’s Position
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The government’s unilateral decisions and heavy militarisation in Kashmir have deepened alienation.
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Political dialogue is essential to reducing radicalisation.
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Claims of peace and progress in Kashmir are exaggerated for political gain.
BJP’s Position
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Terror cannot be contextualised or linked to grievance politics.
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Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks embolden extremist elements.
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The Centre’s strategy has reduced violence and dismantled terror networks.
Political Fallout Accelerates
Mehbooba Mufti’s comments have sharply polarised political discourse:
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Opposition voices argue the government must revisit its approach and engage Kashmiri communities constructively.
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Ruling party leaders insist that critics are inadvertently echoing separatist or anti-national narratives.
The clash reflects the deeper ideological divide over how India should address Kashmir’s socio-political crisis—through dialogue and reconciliation, or firm security measures and strict enforcement.
Conclusion
By drawing a direct link between the Delhi blast and Kashmir’s unrest, Mehbooba Mufti has reopened the contentious debate over the Centre’s Kashmir strategy. With the BJP forcefully rebutting her claims, the issue is now firmly in the national spotlight, underscoring how terror incidents often become political battlegrounds.
As the investigation continues, the competing narratives are likely to intensify, with both sides using the incident to reinforce their broader political positions.
