PDP Cheif Mehbooba Mufti Reaffirms PDP’s Commitment to Peace, Dialogue on 26th Foundation Day

PDP Cheif Mehbooba Mufti Reaffirms PDP’s Commitment to Peace, Dialogue on 26th Foundation Day

Calls on Centre to Embrace Reconciliation Over Repression; Invokes Mufti Sayeed’s Vision for Kashmir

Aadil Abdullah 

Srinagar, July 28: On the occasion of the 26th Foundation Day of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a commemorative event was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar, where party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti delivered a compelling keynote address. She reaffirmed the PDP’s founding principles of peace, dignity, and dialogue, while invoking the legacy of her late father and party founder, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

Describing the day as a tribute to “Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s thought and the PDP’s philosophy of ‘Aman Ki Baat, Izzat Kay Saath’,” Mehbooba reflected on the political backdrop under which the party was established. “PDP was founded at a critical juncture in Jammu and Kashmir’s history. It was never meant to provoke confrontation, but to serve the people,” she said, stressing that her father consistently worked to ease the suffering of the region’s population.

In her speech, Pdp's Cheif Mehbooba Mufti sharply questioned the denial of space to Kashmiri voices in India’s foreign policy discourse. “Whenever a Kashmiri talks about peace with Pakistan, they are told not to interfere. But I ask—what is India’s foreign policy without Jammu and Kashmir? We suffer the consequences of conflict. Our children died, our fathers died—and what was the outcome? Zero.”

Criticizing the current approach toward Kashmir, she recalled Mufti Sayeed’s vision of India as a compassionate and powerful nation. “He called India an elephant—strong and wise. But now, this elephant has chained its own feet, and that chain is Jammu and Kashmir,” she said, lamenting that the region has become a burden due to the policies imposed on it.

Mehbooba Mufti also drew comparisons between India and China, noting that despite India’s demographic advantage, China continues to outpace it in development and global influence. “Even our External Affairs Minister admits we can’t compete with China. So why are we spending on weapons and missiles when there's no investment in health and education?” she questioned.

Referring to Pakistan’s recurring presence in India’s security discourse, she said, “You say Kashmir is an integral part of India—then let Kashmiris speak. If we don’t raise our voice, who will? You fight wars in our name.”

Highlighting the enduring political complexity of Jammu and Kashmir, she noted, “Indira Gandhi created Bangladesh, Vajpayee went to Lahore, Manmohan Singh sincerely wanted a solution. Now, Prime Minister Modi has the capability to resolve Kashmir—if he chooses to.” She urged the current leadership to prioritize reconciliation over repression.

Mehbooba expressed concern over the increasing troop deployment and the misuse of stringent laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA) against civilians. “How many more people will you arrest or kill? What will it achieve? Even tribal communities are being targeted now,” she warned.

Mehbooba Mufti reiterated that peace in Kashmir cannot be achieved through force. “India must win the hearts of the people of Kashmir. Without that, real change is impossible,” she said. Welcoming India’s participation in the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament, she urged New Delhi to adopt a similar approach in Kashmir—one rooted in dialogue, empathy, and resolution.