Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Nov 2
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called on the Centre to initiate political dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir, saying the region’s problems could not be resolved through security measures and restrictions.
Addressing a party workers’ convention in Srinagar, the former chief minister accused the National Conference (NC) of weakening Jammu and Kashmir’s political position through what she described as repeated compromises and shifting stands on the Kashmir issue.
She alleged that the NC had contributed to mistrust between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir by changing its political positions according to its pursuit of power.
Referring to the 1947 accession and subsequent political developments, Mehbooba questioned the NC’s transition from supporting accession to India to advocating a plebiscite.
She said the party continued to demand a plebiscite for nearly 22 years before Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah entered into the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Mehbooba alleged that Sheikh Abdullah abandoned his earlier position to return to power as chief minister, despite the party having no elected legislators at the time.
She argued that India’s leadership, including Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar, had provided Jammu and Kashmir with special constitutional status and its own constitution, but subsequent political developments had eroded confidence between the region and New Delhi.
The PDP president said the NC had repeatedly compromised the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that lasting peace would remain difficult while the party continued to govern the Union Territory.
She also defended the PDP’s 2014 alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asking party workers not to be apologetic about the decision when questioned by the NC.
Mehbooba urged workers to counter the NC’s criticism by highlighting what she described as inconsistencies in its historical position on Kashmir.
Without naming NC president Farooq Abdullah, she also criticised remarks suggesting that Pakistan was protecting Kashmir, alleging that such statements sent a message to New Delhi that Kashmiris were aligned with Pakistan.
Turning to the Centre, Mehbooba said political engagement was necessary to address the region’s concerns.
She said laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Public Safety Act, as well as the termination of government employees, could not provide a lasting solution.
“Kashmir cannot be resolved by using the UAPA, PSA or dismissing employees from service. It can be resolved through dialogue,” she said.
She also called for reopening traditional trade routes linking Jammu and Kashmir with Central Asian cities, including Kashgar, Khotan and Yarkand, saying renewed commercial connectivity could help address longstanding regional concerns.
Drawing a comparison with arrangements at Lipulekh in Uttarakhand, she questioned why similar initiatives could not be explored in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba further alleged that people in the region had faced years of restrictions and pressure. Referring to July 22 and October 12, she said developments on those dates had given people elsewhere in the country a glimpse of the conditions Kashmiris had experienced over a prolonged period.
