Omar should refrain from endorsing abrogation of Article 370: Mehbooba

In a fresh attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, former CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has urged him to “refrain from endorsing the August 5, 2019, decision in the formulation of business rules for the Assembly,” warning that such an endorsement would legitimise the “illegal and unconstitutional” actions taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A.

Mufti, in a statement, emphasised that despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, many legal experts believe that Article 370 cannot be abrogated by any authority, including the Parliament. “While the BJP may not restore these rights, it is likely that India, as a nation, will have to do so sooner or later. Any endorsement by the J&K government would weaken this claim and diminish the state’s position. We have to keep the argument and narrative alive,” she said.

The PDP leader also reminded the BJP-led central government of its approach during the peak of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. “Thousands of FIRs of stone pelters were quashed, Ramazan ceasefire was declared. A high-powered delegation was sent to engage with the people of J&K, including separatists, who unfortunately declined the offer. At the time, separatists believed that stone-pelting, burning schools and hospitals and attacking army camps and police stations would resolve the Kashmir issue. However, things only worsened,” she said.

Mufti urged the BJP to “come down from its high horse” and recognise that the situation in J&K is far from normal. “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,” she added.

She also stressed the need to reopen crucial trade routes, such as Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot, to boost the region’s economy. “As Jammu is increasingly side-lined, the Jammu-Sialkot route should also be revived to provide a market for Jammu’s products,” Mufti said.

Mufti urged the government to take inspiration from her vision document and the agenda of alliance, which emphasised dialogue and economic development. “Instead of dragging the people of J&K along, the government should hand-hold and walk with them,” she stated, criticising the current administration for allegedly failing to address the region’s economic and political challenges.

The PDP president claimed that little had changed even after Jammu and Kashmir elected a government in October last year. “What’s the difference between L-G rule and the NC government? The same crackdowns, property attachments and persecution of the Jamaat-e-Islami continue. 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,” she concluded.