Mebooba says SC’s Pahalgam reference exposes Delhi’s distrust in IIOJK’s stability
Urges Modi govt to address core issue, not just constitutional semantics
Srinagar, August: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has sharply criticized the BJP-led Indian government following the Supreme Court’s reference to the Pahalgam attack while hearing a plea on the restoration of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti today said that the Indian govt’s continued hesitation to restore full statehood to IIOJK — despite revoking its special status and reducing it to a Union Territory in 2019 — reflects a “deeper political and psychological deadlock.”
“The Supreme Court’s reference to the recent Pahalgam attack in the debate on granting statehood underscores the Centre’s [New Delhi’s] lack of confidence in the region’s stability,” Mufti said.
“Even after stripping J&K of its autonomy, the Government of India seems reluctant to ease its tight grip on the region.”
She stressed that the core issue in Jammu and Kashmir goes beyond constitutional semantics. “Unless New Delhi engages with the political aspirations of the people and addresses the core issue head-on, it will remain on uncertain footing — regardless of the force it deploys.”
Calling for a change in policy, the PDP chief urged the Indian government to correct its “past missteps” and launch a “sincere process of dialogue and reconciliation” aimed at bringing lasting peace and restoring the dignity of the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also commented, saying, “By invoking Pahalgam attack, Supreme Court has given an alibi to GOI [Government of India] to delay restoration of J&Ks statehood. Seems like they don’t want to lose the iron grip anytime soon.”
Earlier in the day, the Indian Supreme Court said that the ground situation in IIOJK must be taken into account while considering the restoration of its statehood. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while hearing pleas seeking directions to restore the statehood Jammu and Kashmir, observed that recent incidents such as what happened in Pahalgam could not be ignored.
