PDP to Join Jantar Mantar Protest Only if Article 370, Political Prisoners’ Release Included: Mehbooba Mufti
Srinagar, July 18 (KNB): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said that her party will participate in the proposed Jantar Mantar protest only if the restoration of Article 370, the release of political prisoners and the revocation of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami are included among its key demands.
In a letter addressed to National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba said that restricting the protest to the demand for the restoration of statehood alone would be inadequate and would overlook the larger constitutional and political issues arising from the developments of August 5, 2019.
She maintained that seeking only the restoration of statehood could be interpreted as accepting the constitutional changes brought about on August 5, 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked and the erstwhile state was reorganised into two Union Territories.
The PDP chief urged that the protest agenda should also seek the restoration of Article 370, the release of political detainees and the lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, saying these issues remain central to the aspirations and concerns of a large section of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba stated that the PDP would extend its support and participate in the proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration only if these demands are incorporated into the protest’s core agenda.
The proposed protest at Jantar Mantar is being planned by regional political parties to press for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s rights, with consultations over its agenda continuing among participating parties. (KNB)