Mehbooba Mufti refuses to join J&K statehood protest in New Delhi

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti wrote to National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah declining the invitation to attend a Jantar Mantar demonstration in New Delhi on 20 July. Mufti said the proposed rally, which focuses solely on restoring J&K’s statehood under Article 370, would effectively legitimise the 2019 abrogation of that provision.

In her letter she thanked Abdullah for the offer but explained that the PDP, after internal consultations, would not participate because a narrow demand risks "whitewashing the illegal and unconstitutional actions of 5 August 2019". Mufti also criticised the current Omar Abdullah‑led government for remaining a "mute spectator" to dismissals, detentions and other actions taken after the region’s downgrade to a Union Territory. She recalled earlier attempts to forge a united regional initiative among J&K parties.