Centre should review its J&K policy, launch reconciliation process: Mufti

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has not improved since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and urged the Centre to review its current policy and initiate a process of reconciliation.

Speaking to reporters after a PDP event held to interact with youth, Mehbooba said the recent blast in Delhi in November had “shaken everyone” and highlighted the urgent need to understand the concerns of young people in the region.

“We want to know what kind of problems and challenges the youth are facing that they are choosing death over life,” she said, adding that Sunday’s interaction would not be the last and that the party intends to hold more such programmes.

Mehbooba said that despite the Centre’s repeated claims of normalcy post-2019, ground realities tell a different story.

“After the abrogation of Article 370, New Delhi said everything was normal. They claimed that stones had been replaced with books and computers. But the situation suggests otherwise, when an educated young man becomes a suicide bomber,” she remarked. “This is extremely worrying, and we want to stop this. We want peace in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Calling for a policy rethink, she said, “I believe the prime minister, the home minister and the national security advisor should review the policy on Jammu and Kashmir. The incident in Delhi tells a different story from what is being claimed.”

The PDP president said the party would continue similar outreach programmes in other areas and even outside Jammu and Kashmir. “We will travel across the country and speak to national leadership. There are many apprehensions here, including concerns about how people from Kashmir are treated outside,” she said. Stressing the need for a long-term solution, she said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to deteriorate because the real issues remain unaddressed. “People here want to live with dignity, respect and peace—not under the constant pressure of UAPA, PSA, NIA and other agencies. Reconciliation is essential.”

She added that reconnecting with the people, especially youth who are “heartbroken and deeply distressed,” was crucial.

“We will try to act as a bridge between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country,” Mehbooba said.