‘Will Fight for Restoration of Article 370 says Mehbooba Mufti’
Gowhar Nazir
Srinagar, Oct, 14: The former chief minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has been set free by the authorities’ right after being in detention for over a year.
Mufti had been held since August, 2019, along with thousands of politicians and activists, after the Center stripped the semi-autonomous status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and sliced former state into two union territories of Jammu—Kashmir and Ladakh.
The decision was taken by the government of India right after passing the legislation in Parliament stripping the Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Moments after the release of former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti, she recalled the August 5, 2019 “a black day” and vowed to fight for the restoration of Article 370.
The former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti urged everyone in Jammu and Kashmir to put an exertion towards resolving the Kashmir conflict.
She added two posts to her personal Twitter feed, managed by her daughter Iltija during her mother’s detention.
In first tweet she thanked her supporters who stood by her “in these tough times” and the other was an audio message in which Mufti called India’s August 5, 2019, action a “black decision on a black day.” None among us can ever forget the political heist and an insult on that day, said Mehbooba Mufti.
“I was released today after over a year of detention. During this period, the decision taken on August 5, 2019 to withdraw Article 370 has made my body and soul ache every day. And I feel this is what everyone is going through in erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. We can’t forget the humiliation and dacoity of August 5, 2019,” said Mufti in an audio message.
She further said that, “We should all pledge to take back from Delhi, what it grabbed from us through an undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal way.”
Mufti further added in an apparent reference to Article 370. “We should also put our best efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue for which thousands of people have sacrificed their lives. I accept this road is not an easy one but I firmly believe that our resolve will help us to win this fight. As for now I have been released and I want all the political prisoners, languishing in different jails throughout Jammu and Kashmir to be released as well.”
Earlier this month Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the release of her mother. In response the government cited the “geopolitical position of Jammu and Kashmir”, its geographical proximity with Pakistan, and Mehbooba’s “glorifying militant” statements for the continuation of her detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
Meanwhile reacting to her mother’s release, Iltija expressed surprise. “This was really unexpected and I think that it’s because of shame and embarrassment they released my Mom”
The other regional political leaders including Omar Abdullah former Chief Minister of J&K welcomed the move of releasing Mehbooba Mufti, soon after her release Omar Abdullah tweeted, “I’m pleased to hear that @MehboobaMufti Sahiba has been released after more than a year in detention. Her continued detention was a travesty & was against the basic tenets of democracy. Welcome out Mehbooba.”
