PDP Sets Conditions to Join NC Protest: Article 370, Political Prisoner Release, Jamaat Ban Lifting

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has laid down conditions for joining a protest scheduled by the National Conference (NC) in New Delhi on July 20, demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In a letter to NC president Farooq Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti stated that the protest must also include demands for the restoration of Article 370, the release of political prisoners, and the lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.

In the two-page letter dated July 18, Ms. Mufti wrote that after discussions with senior colleagues, she concluded that participating in a protest focused solely on statehood would not be appropriate. She argued that such a limited demand would legitimise the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which she described as an illegal act.

“Protesting in unison solely for statehood would only legitimise and sanitise the illegal act of revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status and could be viewed as a direct endorsement of August 5, the darkest day in our collective history,” Ms. Mufti wrote.

Mr. Abdullah had invited leaders from across the political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir to join the NC-led protest at Jantar Mantar on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament to press for statehood restoration. The PDP’s response introduces a broader set of demands that the party considers essential.

Ms. Mufti emphasised that reducing the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the demand for statehood alone would be “a grave injustice, a disservice, and a sheer betrayal.” She added, “Demanding anything short of it [special status] would amount to a shameful surrender of our rights and dignity.”

The PDP chief also criticised the NC’s approach, stating that a “half-hearted” demand echoes and legitimises the BJP’s narrative of sidelining Article 370. She noted that the electoral mandate given to the NC was not merely for statehood restoration; if that were the case, the BJP and its allies would have performed better in elections.

Ms. Mufti reiterated her call for an all-party front similar to the Ladakh movement and urged Mr. Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take the lead. She suggested convening an all-party meeting, including civil society representatives, to address issues such as the release of political prisoners and revocation of the ban on socio-political organisations, including Jamaat-e-Islami.

She further stated that the restoration of statehood cannot be treated as a one-time event and requires sustained political effort. Ms. Mufti said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should initiate such engagement to give the people of Jammu and Kashmir hope.