Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday warned that the constitutional changes imposed on Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 could have wider implications for the country, urging people not to allow India to become “another Jammu and Kashmir”.
Addressing a gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister accused the BJP-led government of weakening constitutional safeguards and undermining democratic rights, including the people's right to elect and change governments.
“We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been destroyed. In 2019, they destroyed the Constitution. But now, you children, don't let the whole country become Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba was quoted as saying by the Kashmir News Service (KNS).
She alleged that the government was attempting to hollow out the Constitution without formally replacing it.
“The Constitution has given you the vote to change governments. They want to snatch that right from you,” she said.
Mehbooba also accused the Centre of favouring powerful business interests at the expense of ordinary people, alleging that public assets were being handed over to select businessmen while poor families faced displacement and economic hardship.
Referring to demolitions of homes and the cutting of trees, she alleged that land was being made available to private business interests at throwaway prices.
The PDP chief also criticised the Centre over unemployment and changes in military recruitment, apparently referring to the Agnipath scheme.
She further targeted the BJP over its Hindutva politics and raised allegations concerning donations collected in the name of the Ram temple.
Linking Jammu and Kashmir's experience with the wider struggle to protect constitutional rights, Mehbooba expressed solidarity with those seeking to defend democratic institutions.
“We are with you in your struggle,” she told the gathering.
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as the soul of the country and an embodiment of the “idea of India”, she said the people of the region wanted to stand alongside fellow citizens in defending the constitutional principles on which the republic was founded.
Comments (0)