Mehbooba Mufti Criticizes Speaker for Imposing ‘Martial Law’ in IIOJK Assembly

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has accused the Speaker of the IIOJK Assembly of acting as a censor rather than upholding democratic principles.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized the Speaker of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, accusing him of imposing a form of “martial law.”

Mufti stated that the primary role of a Speaker is to protect the rights of assembly members rather than act as a censor. She expressed her concerns in a post on X, emphasizing that Rather should focus on maintaining legislative sanctity while ensuring freedom of speech and democratic values within the House.

“While Rather may aim to preserve the integrity of legislative proceedings, his foremost duty as Speaker is to uphold the rights of members, not impose censorship,” Mufti wrote. “Unfortunately, Rather, despite being an experienced politician, seems to be enforcing a form of martial law while holding a constitutional position,” she added.

Meanwhile, in Pulwama, South Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti joined her party’s signature campaign advocating for a ban on liquor in IIOJK. The campaign, initiated by her daughter and party leader Iltija Mufti, has gained momentum across the region.

Speaking to reporters in Pulwama, Mufti urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to support her party’s bills and prevent the implementation of business rules that would validate the unconstitutional and illegal decisions of August 5, 2019.

She also called upon the National Conference, which holds 50 MLAs and 2 MPs, to take a strong stance on crucial issues, particularly regarding Article 370 and 35A. She criticized the party for avoiding open discussions on these matters, emphasizing that the public has the right to be informed about significant political developments.

“The people deserve clarity on these issues. If an unconstitutional decision was taken in 2019, it should not be legitimized through business rules under any government,” Mufti asserted.

She also voiced her concerns about the lack of discussions on pressing issues such as tourism, youth welfare, and drug abuse. According to her, political leaders must actively address these challenges rather than sideline them.

Reaffirming her commitment to protecting public rights, Mufti stressed the importance of keeping the government accountable and ensuring that democratic processes are upheld.