Srinagar, August 7: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, made serious allegations on Friday. She stated that she and her party are being harassed by right-wing groups because the PDP is the only party demanding the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A.
On Friday, Mufti protested in Srinagar as police summoned her daughter, Iltija Mufti, for questioning regarding an alleged attack on a uniformed police officer.
An FIR was filed at the Kothibagh police station on August 5, accusing Iltija Mufti of assaulting a police officer on duty while she was protesting the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
A group of PDP workers attempted to accompany Iltija Mufti to the Kothibagh police station but were stopped en route, while Iltija proceeded to the police station alone.
Mehbooba Mufti told reporters that the PDP has become the primary target of the right-wing RSS and BJP because it is the only political party advocating for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.
She stated, “Every effort has been made to break our party. We have been harassed and intimidated. Did the National Conference and Congress not protest for the restoration of statehood? Why was our protest stopped? Those who facilitated the abrogation of Article 370 and are responsible for the current plight of the people are now exposed.”
Referring to Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the founder of the National Conference, Mufti remarked, “Didn’t the National Conference’s greatest leader say in 1981 that Article 370 is not a verse from the Quran that cannot be changed? Didn’t he say that if Article 370 obstructs the development of Jammu and Kashmir, it should be removed?”
She also accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of avoiding the issue by choosing to visit Poonch and Rajouri districts while all political leaders protested for the restoration of statehood on July 5.
The PDP’s march was not permitted to proceed through the city streets, and PDP leaders and workers were confined to the party headquarters located on Residency Road in Srinagar’s uptown area.
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