Mehbooba Mufti, Leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticised the FIR against her and her daughter Iltija Mufti in connection with the Article 370 protest in Srinagar, saying that speaking about Article 370 has been criminalised.
Mehbooba Mufti said the registration of the FIR reflected an attempt to suppress voices raising issues related to Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status.
VIDEO | Srinagar: On the FIR filed against her and Iltija Mufti for ‘assaulting’ a cop during the Article 370 protest on August 5, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti says, “It has become a crime to talk about Article 370. Anyone who talks about 370 is declared a criminal. That is why FIRs… pic.twitter.com/BQ2vmkKQPg
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She told reporters in Srinagar: “It has become a crime to talk about Article 370. Anyone who talks about 370 is declared a criminal. That is why FIRs are being filed."
The FIR was registered after police alleged that Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti assaulted a police officer during protests on August 5, the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. The police have initiated legal proceedings and the matter is under investigation.
The PDP chief rejected the narrative of the incident and emphasized that the issue was not political rivalry, and that it was bigger than a conflict between rivals.
"This is not a fight between Omar Abdullah and the PDP. My daughter is your daughter. There was neither a stone nor any weapon in her hand. Then, the way she was treated, she'll answer for it herself,” Mehbooba Mufti said.
She also said that the issue remained the constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir.
"But this issue is about Article 370. This issue is about Article 35A," she continued, repeating her party's long-standing opposition to the 2019 decision that revoked the special status of the former state.
The PDP has never wavered in its belief that the repeal of Article 370 and the removal of Article 35A were unlawful and will continue to press for a remedy in democratic and legal terms. The party has always called for the restoration of the constitutional provisions that existed before August 5, 2019.
Jammu and Kashmir administration and security agencies have maintained that law and order must be upheld during public demonstrations and legal action is taken whenever there are allegations of obstruction or assault on public servants. The FIR is still being investigated, and authorities have not made any further statement regarding the accusations beyond the registration of the case.
The remarks by Mehbooba Mufti will only intensify the political debate in Jammu and Kashmir where Article 370 and Article 35A remain amongst the most controversial issues. Political parties in the region are divided about the constitutional changes of 2019.
The recent controversy also comes amid renewed political activity in the Union Territory, with parties trying to galvanise public opinion on governance, constitutional rights and the future political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. As the investigation proceeds, further developments in the case are expected to draw significant political and legal attention.
