Accession Day: Mehbooba Mufti Slams Centre's Kashmir Policy
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti criticizes the central government's Kashmir policy and the abrogation of Article 370 on the 79th Accession Day.
On the occasion of Jammu and Kashmir's 79th Accession Day, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has launched a scathing attack on the central government, questioning the current state of the region and the legitimacy of the policy shifts since 2019. While the day marks the historic moment on October 26, 1947, when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to integrate the region into the Indian Union, Mufti used the anniversary to highlight what she describes as a betrayal of constitutional promises.
The Instrument of Accession: More Than Paperwork
Addressing a gathering of her supporters, Mufti held up a pamphlet depicting the Instrument of Accession, arguing that the document was not merely a legal formality. She emphasized that the decision to join India was predicated on specific constitutional guarantees that were meant to protect the region's unique identity and rights.
Drawing a connection to the early foundations of the nation, Mufti cited Mahatma Gandhi's vision of a secular India as the core reason why Jammu and Kashmir chose to merge with the Indian Union. However, she asserted that the subsequent abrogation of Article 370 has effectively dismantled those foundational constitutional rights, altering the terms upon which the accession originally took place.
Fear Over Normalcy
The PDP leader took a hard line against the central government's claims that the region has returned to normalcy. According to Mufti, the current atmosphere is defined by fear rather than peace. She pointed to the hardships faced by the general public since 2019, arguing that the government's approach has been overly reliant on security measures rather than political inclusion.
Concerns Over Security and Human Rights
Mufti highlighted several points to support her claim that the region remains under extreme pressure:
- Heavy Security Presence: The continued massive deployment of security forces across the valley.
- Law Enforcement Actions: The frequency of raids conducted by authorities.
- Youth Detentions: The ongoing detention of young people in the region.
A Call for Inclusive Governance
Urging a shift in strategy, Mehbooba Mufti called on the authorities to move away from a security-centric model. She maintained that genuine stability cannot be achieved through force alone but requires the government to address the actual sentiments of the people and respect the conditions under which the accession occurred.
The PDP chief argued that for the region to truly prosper, the central government must adopt a policy of inclusion and acknowledge the constitutional spirit of the original merger.