Mehbooba Mufti Urges End to War Rhetoric and Crackdown in IIOJK

As IIOJK continues to reel under relentless crackdowns and political uncertainty, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has called on the Indian government to shift focus from conflict to cooperation—urging peace, economic revival, and respect for civil liberties.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has made a strong appeal to India’s ruling regime, urging an end to both the war rhetoric and the ongoing crackdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Speaking at a party gathering in Srinagar, Mufti emphasized the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.

“We must end this looming threat of war so that people can live with dignity, plan their futures, and rebuild their economy,” she stated. Highlighting the region’s potential, Mufti added, “IIOJK should serve as a bridge of understanding and friendship—not as a battleground for war.”

The PDP leader voiced deep concern over the intensifying repression across the territory. She pointed out that youth are being unjustly imprisoned, and harsh laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA) are being used arbitrarily. “If such draconian measures were truly effective, then incidents like the one in Pahalgam would not have happened,” Mufti argued. “If the aim is to curb militancy, then why is the war being waged against ordinary, impoverished people who are now languishing in jails, many of them outside IIOJK?”

Mufti also took aim at the National Conference (NC), accusing it of political compromise and aligning with the BJP at the expense of public interest. She criticized the NC leadership for welcoming the same minister who introduced the controversial Waqf Bill, despite its widespread opposition. “The NC, which once had 50 MLAs, failed to even pass a resolution against the Waqf amendment. That silence speaks volumes,” she remarked.

The PDP chief further condemned the NC’s support for the Indian government’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. She recalled that it was former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who publicly endorsed halting water supplies to Pakistan—actions she sees as counterproductive and insensitive.

“We may disagree with the Government of Pakistan on several issues, but our disagreement does not extend to its people,” Mufti stated. “It is disappointing and dangerous when leaders from the only Muslim-majority region in India speak in ways that deepen hostility.”

Her remarks reflect growing unease among IIOJK’s political leadership over the Indian government’s hardline policies, which many view as fostering unrest rather than promoting reconciliation.

As tensions in the region continue, Mufti’s call for a shift from militarization to dialogue highlights the urgent need for policy rethinking. Her message is clear: genuine peace in IIOJK cannot be achieved through repression, but through justice, dignity, and mutual respect.