Mehbooba Mufti Alleges Crackdown on Article 370 Voices, Defends Iltija After FIR

Srinagar, Aug 7: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday accused the administration of suppressing voices demanding the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, alleging that the PDP has faced continuous targeting since the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019.Addressing party workers after a protest in Srinagar, Mehbooba claimed the police action against her daughter, Iltija Mufti, was part of a wider campaign to silence those raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status.She alleged that an FIR was registered against Iltija Mufti following the protest and said she had been summoned to Kothibagh Police Station. Mehbooba also accused police of manhandling women protesters, questioning the conduct of security personnel during the demonstration.The former Chief Minister claimed that while several political parties have held protests over statehood restoration, the PDP was the only party to protest specifically for Article 370 and Article 35A, making it a target of the authorities.Mehbooba alleged that discussing Article 370 has effectively become a punishable act, claiming that anyone raising the issue is treated like a criminal. She said the campaign against the PDP has continued since 2019 in an attempt to weaken the party politically.Referring to recent remarks attributed to former intelligence officer A.S. Dulat, Mehbooba questioned the National Conference’s stand on Article 370 and criticised rival parties for avoiding the issue.Defending her daughter, Mehbooba said Iltija was unarmed during the protest and questioned the use of force against her. She alleged that male police personnel handled women protesters despite the presence of women officers.The PDP chief maintained that Article 370 remains emotionally significant for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that no amount of political pressure could erase the demand for its restoration.She further alleged that arrests, raids, dismissals and other actions were being used to discourage people from speaking about Article 370 and Article 35A.Concluding her address, Mehbooba said neither she nor Iltija Mufti would abandon the political vision of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, reiterating the PDP’s commitment to seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights.