Mehbooba Mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reiterated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is committed only to peace, unity and prosperity in the region.

Speaking to reporters, Mufti said that during earlier peace efforts, cross-border roads such as the Poonch–Rawalakote and Uri–Muzaffarabad routes were opened, helping reconnect divided families. She added that once the security situation improves, the Army should return to the barracks. She also demanded that two power projects either be handed back to Jammu and Kashmir or that fair compensation be provided. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

---

“This is our agenda,” she said. “We want Jammu and Kashmir to prosper, remain united, and for the government to reach out directly to the people.”

Mufti strongly rejected claims made by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who linked her proposal for granting separate divisional status to Pir Panjal and the Chenab Valley with the Dixon Plan. While expressing respect for Abdullah, she said he may have overlooked history.

“I consider him the tallest leader of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said, “but he seems to have forgotten that his father, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was arrested for the same formula.”

She added that if such an agenda ever existed, it belonged to the National Conference, not the PDP. “This can never be our party’s agenda,” she said firmly.

The Dixon Plan was proposed in September 1950 by Sir Owen Dixon, a United Nations representative, as a possible solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

Explaining her demand, Mufti said Pir Panjal, which includes Rajouri and Poonch, is a backward region that has suffered heavily due to ongoing border tensions. She said the Chenab Valley — covering Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar — is environmentally fragile and frequently affected by natural disasters and accidents.

“Democracy means empowering people,” she said. “The government must reach the public. I have spoken only about better administration, not about the Dixon Plan. My father dedicated his life to keeping Jammu and Kashmir united, which is why he even formed a government with the BJP to honour the people’s mandate.”

Mufti also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of twisting her proposal and linking it to Pakistan. She said the BJP had already weakened the former state by carving out Ladakh in 2019 and pushing for separate statehood for Jammu.

“We do not want Pir Panjal or the Chenab Valley to be merged with Kashmir,” she clarified. “We want separate divisional status for both regions so people can benefit from better governance.”

She further alleged that the BJP effectively began implementing the Dixon Plan when it redrew the boundaries of the Anantnag parliamentary constituency to include Poonch and Rajouri.

Mufti also condemned reports of journalists being summoned to police stations in Srinagar. Expressing disappointment, she said she had expected senior leaders, including Abdullah, to speak out against such actions.

“Silencing journalists weakens democracy,” she said, calling for respect for press freedom and democratic values.

You Might Also Like:

At 13, This Kashmiri Boy Built 31 Apps and AI Tools

Delhi Court Convicts Kashmiri Separatist Asiya Andrabi in UAPA Case

Pahalgam Railway Line Is About Future, Not Fear—Connectivity Is Development

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that merit must not be replaced by religion in educational institutions.

Speaking to reporters , Mehbooba said that attempts to bring religion into the functioning of educational institutions would “defame institutions” and shut the doors of opportunity for deserving students across Jammu and Kashmir.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

She said controversies around religious identity in institutions like Mata Vaishno Devi University were unfortunate and could have long-term consequences.

She reminded that the land for institutions such as Mata Vaishno Devi University and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University was allocated during the tenure of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with the intention of taking higher education “to people’s doorsteps,” especially to benefit the youth of remote areas.

“Admissions in these institutions have always been based on merit,” she said. as per KNS “If religion is brought into it now, it will not only damage the reputation of these institutions but also close the path for meritorious students.

The PDP chief said that ignoring merit for religious considerations could create a dangerous national trend.

“Today it may happen at Mata Vaishno Devi University, tomorrow it may happen somewhere else, and then everywhere,” she said. “Once you start segregating Muslims and sidelining them despite merit, where will they go?”

Mehbooba said that it is important to preserve the atmosphere in which students from all communities studied together with mutual respect.

“Our institutions were built on the principle of inclusiveness. Merit should remain the only criteria,” she said.

Earlier, commenting on infrastructure, Mehbooba said that starting train services between Srinagar–Jammu and Srinagar–Delhi at the earliest would greatly benefit the people of the region.(KNS)

You Might Also Like:

Islam’s Unique Civilisation: Unity of Faith, Culture and History

Iran Offers Condolences to India Over Delhi Red Fort Blast, NIA Launches Full Terror Probe

Is Crowdfunding and Taking Loans Allowed in Islam? Understanding Help, Tawakkul and Riba

Urging the central government to change its policy on Kashmir and make it more dialogue-oriented, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday expressed concern that instead of holding deliberations, the “power centres have been busy victimising innocents.”

Addressing party leaders at the executive committee meeting of the PDP, Mehbooba said the dispensation at the Centre must realise that “people in Kashmir have forever accepted a future driven by its agenda of growth and development”.She said that the peace-driven approach of Kashmir’s people must be utilised to yield positive results.

“There is no dialogue at all since 2019, as all doors have been shut. The only thing we get to see is raids and action against innocent people. All we get to hear are things from a security point of view with no focus on a dialogue,” Mehbooba said.

She said the Centre must reach out to the people.

“Instead of pressure tactics, there is a need to win hearts,” the former chief minister said.

She said all the means of dialogue had been blocked, which had eroded any ground that could have been prepared to “heal people’s wounds.”

“I would like to tell people at the helm not to be influenced by the war-mongering global forces. Instead, take inspiration by invoking the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi or the peace formula of late Atal Bihari Vajyapee. I would make an earnest appeal to the central government to revisit its policies on J&K so that there is an end to a sense of fear,” Mehbooba said.

The PDP chief recollected that her father late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, always saw the “nationalist side” of the BJP.

However, she said that the BJP had “not lived up to those expectations.”

“I would urge the BJP to feel the pain of Kashmiris, introspect, and stop playing vote bank politics by communalising issues,” Mehbooba said.

She said people in Kashmir welcome a probe into the Red Fort blast.

“Any support required for investigations must be extended,” the former chief minister said.

However, she said a situation had been created where “the entire population of Kashmir is made the scapegoat for the fault of a few.”

The PDP President appealed to political, social, and religious bodies to guide youth in taking up more “meaningful means” for contributing to take J&K out of the turmoil, rather than leading to a tragic end to their lives.

“They should take inspiration from the young leader Aga Muntazir Sahab, who fought and won the election and became a people’s representative. I am aware that there is a lot of hopelessness among the youth, but I would urge them not to give up,” Mehbooba said.

She said that in 2019, “J&K was stripped of its identity and basic constitutional rights”.

“It is high time that the Centre provides a healing touch,” Mehbooba said.

The former chief minister urged the PDP cadre to strengthen their base in different districts and gear up for the local body polls.

She said party workers must adopt a grassroots level approach to take up issues of the people.

“Our MLAs raised three bills in the Assembly, and with whatever small representation our legislators have, they have been vocal on people’s issues,” Mehbooba said.

RED FORT BLAST PROBE WELCOME

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, the PDP chief expressed deep sorrow and strong condemnation over the devastating blast near Delhi’s historic Red Fort, which claimed innocent lives and left many others injured.

Mehbooba also expressed profound grief over the accidental blast at the Nowgam Police Station that tragically took nine lives and wounded several others.

The PDP chief said that in moments of tragedy, the nation must stand firm on dialogue, empathy, and unity.

“Patience and humanity are more important today than ever before,” she said.

Meanwhile, the PDP also extended heartfelt solidarity to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of those fighting for their lives.

In a resolution, the party said that no ideology or grievance can justify the killing of innocent people.

It said that violence wounds the very soul of humanity.

The resolution called for a transparent, honest, and fair investigation but cautioned that no innocent person should be harassed in the name of inquiry.

It said that justice must never come at the cost of dignity.

“The painful lessons of the past, where force and pressure only deepened alienation, must not be repeated,” the PDP resolution said.

Reaffirming its belief in non-violence, dialogue, and democratic values, it said that differences in thought or ideology must be resolved through peaceful and constitutional means.

“The problem right now is the complete breakdown of conversation between Kashmir and the rest of the country. Kashmir is not being allowed, not to speak of facilitated, to come out of the shock, hurt, and humiliation of the decisions of August 5, 2019,” the PDP resolution said. “To restore dignity and self-respect, national leadership across party lines must reach out to the generation whose grandparents chose to stand with the idea of India. This will require moving beyond exclusive dependence on security measures.”

YOUTH MUST LIVE FOR KASHMIR NOT DIE

Speaking about the role of young people, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said: “Our youth must live for Kashmir, not die for it. Their dreams and courage are the true strength of our homeland. We need them to build a peaceful and prosperous Kashmir, not lose their lives in the name of politics or ideology.”

The PDP also expressed deep concern over reports that educated and well-established young men are under investigation.

It described this as a painful moment that demands collective reflection.

PDP questioned why talented minds feel pushed towards despair and destruction.

“Education alone cannot protect society from extremism. Young people also need compassion, opportunity, and a sense of belonging,” the PDP said.

Remaining committed to peace with dignity and reconciliation, the PDP urged the Centre to address growing alienation with sensitivity and compassion rather than force.

Mehbooba said, “Our wounds cannot heal through blame or revenge. They heal through compassion, courage, and truth. Dialogue is not a weakness. It is the highest expression of strength. It is time for all of us to rise above fear and prejudice and work together for a brighter and more peaceful future.”

She also expressed gratitude to her colleagues and party workers for standing by the party and its principles during the most challenging times.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti hit back at Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s controversial remarks following the arrest of two accused after recovering 360 kgs of explosives in Faridabad.

After Giriraj Singh said that the accused always belongs to one community, Mufti asked him about the murderers of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, indicating that those were non-Muslims.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Mehbooba Mufti said, “Who killed Gandhi ji? Who killed Indira ji? Who killed Rajiv Gandhi ji? We will talk after Giriraj ji responds to this.”

Earlier today, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, in controversial remarks towards the Muslim community, asked why the accused belongs to one community.

Speaking to ANI, Singh compared the case to the 1993 Mumbai blasts and lauded the Centre for seizing the explosives.

He said, “The Modi government and the State government caught it. However, this was even dangerous than the Mumbai blasts. Baba Bageshwar’s Yatra has been going on, and people were with him in large numbers. If they were attacked, what would have happened? But, whenever they are caught, it is always a person from one community…a Muslim doctor has been arrested.”

Singh further accused the Opposition leaders of remaining silent on such incidents.
“Be it Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav or Asaduddin Owaisi, they would not issue a statement on this. This is condemnable, and people should worry about it. It is a shocking incident for the nation. People who say terrorism has no religion, I want to ask why all the terrorists caught are from the Muslim religion? It is always linked to religion, like in Pahalgam (terror attack),” he said.

This comes after Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered about 360 kgs of inflammable material and ammunition from Haryana’s Faridabad and nabbed two accused, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather. (ANI)

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said that Kashmir, once described by Mahatma Gandhi as a “ray of light,” is today being seen and treated as a place of criminals.

Speaking on Gandhi Jayanti, Mehbooba said that people of Jammu and Kashmir, their houses, businesses, and even government employees are being labeled as “criminals” and “anti-nationals.” She expressed grief over the recent attachment of the house of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, where his 80-year-old widow lives.

“Your differences may be with Geelani, just as our ideological differences are with the RSS, but targeting an old widow by seizing her home is unfair,” she said as per KNS.

She also pointed out that the government has attached schools, trusts, and other institutions in Kashmir. “What have you done to this place? Everything is being criminalized people, houses, and institutions,” Mehbooba said.

Referring to global conflicts, she remarked that while the world talks about peace in Gaza, “Kashmir, which stood with India against Pakistan in 1947, is being turned into a jail and treated as criminal.”

Mehbooba warned that such actions will only increase distances and reduce chances of reconciliation in the future. “The government has no jobs to offer, no good hospitals, no proper roads. Instead, it seeks votes by creating division between Hindus and Muslims,” she added.(KNS)

Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

You Might Also Like:

Leh Apex Body Halts Talks with Home Ministry Until Normalcy Returns in Ladakh

Kargil Democratic Alliance Demands Release of Sonam Wangchuk, Urges Justice

Former Masjid al-Haram Imam Dr. Sheikh Saleh Al-Talib Released After 7 Years Detention

Baramulla Police File Charge Sheets Against Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K National Front in Unlawful Activities Cases