Srinagar, Aug 8 : In an assembly of opposition leaders in New Delhi, senior political figures from Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, addressed the ongoing issues related to the J&K’s political status and cultural restrictions. The gathering, organized by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, brought together representatives from numerous opposition parties to discuss electoral and governance matters.
Farooq Abdullah spoke about the unfulfilled promise of reinstating Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He pointed out that the current status as a Union Territory limits the region’s political autonomy and representation.
Abdullah also raised concerns about the government’s recent decision to ban certain books in the area, arguing that such measures undermine democratic freedoms and set a worrying precedent.
Mehbooba Mufti shared her views on the growing alienation among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, attributing it partly to the government’s silence on the issue of statehood restoration. She linked the book bans and political uncertainty to a broader sense of disenfranchisement within the community.
While the main focus of the opposition meeting was on alleged irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, both Abdullah and Mufti used the platform to bring attention to Jammu and Kashmir’s unique political challenges.
The region was reconstituted as a Union Territory in August 2019 after the removal of Article 370, with promises to restore statehood later. Since then, it has been under direct central administration without elected legislative governance. The absence of elections and ongoing restrictions have raised concerns about democratic participation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Recent bans on certain books in Jammu and Kashmir have stirred debate over freedom of expression, as some titles have been prohibited in public institutions without clear explanations.
The INDIA alliance has announced plans to stage a protest march to the Election Commission in Delhi, demanding transparency and fairness in electoral processes across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)
