Mehbooba Mufti Sets Conditions for Joining Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Protest

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has said she will participate in the National Conference's planned protest in Delhi demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, but only if the agenda is expanded. She insists that the protest must also call for the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners. Mufti argued that limiting the protest solely to statehood would implicitly accept the central government's decision to revoke the region's special status in 2019. She urged political parties to hold an all-party meeting to address the broader issues of disempowerment affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. According to Mufti, restoring statehood requires sustained political effort and active engagement from all leaders. She emphasized that focusing only on statehood without addressing the underlying constitutional changes would be a mistake. The National Conference has invited all parties to join their protest, which aims to pressure the government to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti's conditional support highlights the differing priorities among regional parties. The protest is expected to take place in the national capital soon.