Mehbooba Mufti urges Centre to reflect on India's adherence to Constitutional ideals

People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday called on the BJP-led government at the Centre to introspect whether India, after eight decades of independence, has truly realised the vision enshrined in the Constitution.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Ms. Mufti said, "The BJP government at the Centre should think if, after 80 years, we have realised the dream of India as envisioned in the Constitution."

Her remarks came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to all political parties to support the implementation of women's reservation in Parliament and State assemblies without turning it into a political issue.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister noted that the Women's Reservation Bill had already been passed by Parliament in 2023. "The reservation bill has been passed; it simply needs to be implemented," she asserted.

Ms. Mufti also highlighted that the Constitution, drafted under the leadership of B.R. Ambedkar in consultation with Congress leaders of that era, envisions a society free from discrimination based on caste, creed, or colour. "It also provides for justice for all," she added.

She further stated that the founding fathers had envisioned an India where individuals have the freedom to choose their attire and food, underscoring the importance of personal liberty as a constitutional value.

The PDP chief's comments come at a time when the country is celebrating 80 years of Independence, a period that has seen significant political and social changes. Her emphasis on constitutional ideals reflects a broader discourse on the nation's progress and the challenges that remain in achieving the vision of the founding fathers.