Srinagar, Aug. 7: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Friday said her party would continue its “peaceful struggle” for the restoration of Article 370 and the erstwhile special status of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the party had faced sustained crackdowns over its stand since the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019.
Addressing reporters after appearing before police in Srinagar, Mufti said she was cooperating with the investigation but maintained that advocating for the restoration of Article 370 was a constitutional and democratic right.
“The larger issue for us is the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. As an Indian citizen, I have the right to peacefully fight for Article 370,” she said.
Mufti alleged that PDP workers had repeatedly been prevented from holding protests on August 5 over the past several years, while accusing the administration of denying the party the right to peacefully mourn the 2019 developments.
She described the events following the abrogation of Article 370 as a period during which Jammu and Kashmir was placed under severe restrictions, including communication blackouts and detention of political leaders.
The PDP leader reiterated that her party’s primary political demand remained the restoration of Article 370, the erstwhile state constitution, flag and other constitutional safeguards, asserting that the party would not limit its political agenda to the restoration of statehood alone.
“We will continue our peaceful protest until Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s special status are restored,” she said.
Mufti also criticised the ruling National Conference, accusing it of focusing only on the demand for statehood while remaining silent on Article 370. She alleged that the PDP had borne the brunt of political crackdowns because of its consistent stand against the abrogation of the special status.
Targeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah without naming him directly at first, Mufti said some political parties had confined their narrative to statehood instead of pursuing the restoration of Article 370.
Later, referring to Abdullah by name, she accused him of repeatedly giving a “clean chit” to the BJP and abandoning the promise of seeking restoration of Article 370 after elections.
She also alleged that PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and her party had been politically targeted because of their opposition to the August 5, 2019 decisions.
Referring to her appearance before police, Mufti said she had no objection to cooperating with investigators but claimed that many Kashmiris had faced detention and imprisonment over the years.
“I am willing to cooperate with the police. My fight is not personal but for every resident of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Mufti maintained that seeking restoration of Article 370 did not amount to anti-national activity or sedition and asserted that the PDP would continue to pursue its objectives through peaceful and democratic means.(KNS).
