Mehbooba Mufti Slams BJP’s Failed J-K Policy, Urges Revival of 2015 Alliance Agenda

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) policies in the Union territory, declaring them a “failure” that has silenced its people and exacerbated tensions. Speaking at a press conference in Jammu on Saturday, Mufti urged the central government to revisit the 2015 ‘agenda of alliance’—a framework established during the PDP-BJP coalition government—for a “respectable solution” to the region’s challenges.

Reflecting on the sixth anniversary of the August 5, 2019, revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and its bifurcation into two Union territories, Mufti described the move as a “destruction” of the region under the pretext of restoring peace. She highlighted the BJP’s stringent measures, including the detention of thousands of youth under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Public Safety Act, as having “failed miserably” to deliver promised prosperity. “J-K continues to be a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with clouds of war hovering,” she warned, noting a growing undercurrent of unrest. “People are silent, but a volcano is building from within.”

Mufti emphasized the continued relevance of the 2015 agenda of alliance, a document crafted during the PDP-BJP coalition (2015–2018) to address Jammu and Kashmir’s challenges through measures like cross-border connectivity, the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and the transfer of power projects. “It was not just an agreement between PDP and BJP, but an alliance between the people of J-K and the rest of the country,” she said, advocating for its study to find an honorable resolution. The agenda incorporates recommendations from seven working groups formed under the Congress-led UPA government, offering a comprehensive roadmap for peace and progress.

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Criticizing the BJP’s post-2019 policies, Mufti pointed to rising unemployment, criminal activities, and resource exploitation as evidence of their failure. She urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt a humanitarian approach, leveraging his authority akin to former leaders Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, rather than treating Jammu and Kashmir as a “vote bank.” Recalling Vajpayee’s 1999 Lahore visit, where Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf expressed willingness to bypass UN resolutions for a mutually acceptable solution, Mufti stressed the need for dialogue with Jammu and Kashmir’s people before engaging Pakistan.

Mufti’s call for reviving the agenda of alliance underscores the PDP’s vision, pioneered by her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India while addressing local grievances. “J-K will continue to live with this country with respect,” she affirmed, urging sincerity from all stakeholders to ensure a fair resolution. As tensions persist in the region, Mufti’s remarks highlight the urgency of revisiting collaborative frameworks to restore trust and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

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