Srinagar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has stated that Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has been converted into an open-air prison since the illegal abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP government on August 05, 2019. Mufti highlighted the ongoing onslaught against the collective identity, land, jobs, and resources of the people in the region since that day.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Mehbooba Mufti made these remarks during a press conference in Srinagar while releasing the party’s manifesto for the Indian parliamentary polls. The PDP president, who is contesting from south Kashmir’s Islamabad-Rajouri seat, emphasized that the situation in IIOJK has deteriorated since the BJP government’s actions, leading to severe restrictions on freedom and expression.
Mufti stated, “Since 2019, after the illegal abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has been converted into an open-air prison. There has been an unending onslaught on our collective identity, land, jobs, resources, and infringement upon the very freedom to speak.” She pledged to raise her voice against this onslaught in the Indian parliament.
The PDP president highlighted that the BJP government in Delhi has been taking drastic measures to disempower and dispossess the Kashmiris. These measures include significant changes to state subject and land laws, outsourcing resources to non-locals, and awarding development contracts to outsiders. Additionally, Mufti noted that many government employees were fired on flimsy grounds, while passports have been criminalized.
Mehbooba Mufti also pointed out the negative impact on the horticulture sector, which is a vital part of IIOJK’s economy. She mentioned that anti-trade measures, such as the removal of tax barriers on imported apples and walnuts, have harmed the local economy.
The ongoing conditions in IIOJK reflect the broader issues surrounding the BJP government’s policies and their impact on the region’s people. Mufti’s statements underscore the need for resistance against these oppressive measures and a return to respect for local autonomy and rights.