Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has said that confining the struggle of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the issue of statehood alone is misleading and undermines the deeper realities of their aspirations.
Mehbooba Mufti in a statement in Srinagar said the real issues have always centered around dignity, rights, and the protection of land, jobs, and resources, including the demand for special status. She maintained that even in Ladakh, people are openly expressing their discontent, driven by fears of losing control over their land, livelihoods, and identity.
Without naming any party, Mehbooba said that framing the struggle solely as a question of statehood ends up reinforcing the BJP’s narrative while ignoring broader aspirations of the people.
She pointed out that the uprising in Leh, where angry demonstrators torched police vehicles and attempted to set a BJP office on fire, reflected growing frustration among Ladakhis. “Leh, long known for peaceful and measured protests, is now witnessing a disturbing shift toward violent demonstrations as people feel betrayed, insecure, and let down by unfulfilled promises,” she said.
“It is imperative to address the root causes of this discontent urgently and transparently,” hte PDP chief urged.
