Mehbooba Mufti Criticizes Indian Government’s Actions in IIOJK, Calls for Political Resistance

Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has vehemently criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government for its oppressive actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019. Speaking to the media in Bijbehera, south of IIOJK, Mufti underscored the urgency of voicing dissent against the Modi government’s policies that she claims are aimed at disempowering the Kashmiri populace.

Mufti highlighted the significant voter turnout in the recent Srinagar and Baramulla parliamentary polls as a testament to the current suffocation felt by the people in the region. She pointed to the plight of thousands of Kashmiri youth who are imprisoned outside the region, leaving their families to deal with a complex and distant legal system.

Mufti asserted, “People want to give a message to the government in Delhi that the atrocities committed since 2019 are no longer acceptable and they will answer to it via vote.” This statement reflects her belief that the electoral process can serve as a powerful tool for expressing dissent and seeking justice.

The PDP chief emphasized the importance of the ongoing Indian parliamentary elections in occupied Jammu and Kashmir as a crucial opportunity to amplify the voices of the region’s residents. Contesting from the Islamabad-Rajouri constituency, Mufti sees the elections as a platform to bring the concerns of the Kashmiri people to the national stage. The polling for this constituency is set for May 25, marking the sixth phase of the Indian parliamentary elections.

Mufti’s critique centers on the actions taken by the Indian government since August 5, 2019, when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. This move, according to Mufti, has led to widespread disempowerment and repression of the Kashmiri people. She argues that the subsequent policies and measures have only exacerbated the region’s challenges, undermining the rights and freedoms of its residents.

The PDP chief’s comments resonate with a broader sentiment of discontent and resistance within the region. The significant voter turnout in the recent parliamentary polls is indicative of a population eager to reclaim their agency and voice their opposition to the current administration’s policies. Mufti’s campaign in the Islamabad-Rajouri constituency is part of a larger effort to mobilize political resistance and seek a platform for the Kashmiri people within the Indian parliamentary framework.

Conclusively, Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism of the Indian government’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019 highlights the ongoing struggle for autonomy and justice in the region. By emphasizing the importance of electoral participation and political resistance, she aims to channel the discontent of the Kashmiri people into tangible political action. As the polling date approaches, the outcome of the elections will be closely watched as a potential indicator of the region’s political future and the resilience of its people in the face of adversity.