Article 370 – PDP Leaders Face FIR After Candlelight Protest in Jammu and Kashmir
Article 370 –PDP leader Iltija Mufti has alleged that party leaders are facing increased police action after they continued to protest against the abrogation of Article 370. Her remarks came after an FIR was registered against her and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti in connection with a candlelight demonstration held in Srinagar.
The case relates to a protest organised outside the PDP office on August 4, marking seven years since the Centre’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status. The demonstration was held a day before the anniversary of the August 5, 2019 decision.
Iltija Mufti questions BJP and National Conference
Addressing reporters on Friday, Iltija Mufti criticised both the BJP-led government at the Centre and the National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir over their positions on the region’s constitutional status.
She said the PDP’s demand goes beyond the restoration of statehood. According to her, the party wants the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, its former flag and its constitution. Her remarks came as the National Conference has continued to press for the restoration of statehood.
Iltija maintained that the PDP has consistently raised the issue of Article 370 since its abrogation in 2019. She alleged that the party’s continued opposition to the decision has resulted in repeated action against its leaders and workers.
PDP says protests will remain peaceful
The PDP leader said the party would continue to raise the issue through peaceful demonstrations. She argued that the political debate in Jammu and Kashmir should not be limited to statehood alone.
According to Iltija, the PDP believes that the changes introduced in August 2019 took away constitutional provisions that the party continues to seek back. She also questioned why other political parties have focused primarily on statehood while avoiding a broader discussion on the region’s former special status.
She further referred to the restrictions and communication shutdown imposed in Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 decision, saying the period had a significant impact on people across the region.
What happened on August 5, 2019
On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370 and Article 35A, provisions associated with Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional position. The former state was subsequently reorganised into two Union Territories.
Jammu and Kashmir was created as a Union Territory with a legislature, while Ladakh was established as a separate Union Territory without a legislature. The changes significantly altered the region’s administrative and constitutional framework.
The abrogation of Article 370 has remained a major political issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with different parties taking differing positions on the changes and their aftermath.
Iltija appears for police questioning
Earlier on Friday, Iltija Mufti appeared at Kothibagh Police Station for questioning in connection with the case. A group of PDP workers accompanied her during the visit.
Police, however, stopped the procession before it could proceed further. The development came shortly after the FIR against Iltija and Mehbooba Mufti over the candlelight protest.
The case and subsequent questioning have added to the political debate surrounding demonstrations linked to the anniversary of the 2019 constitutional changes. The PDP has maintained that its opposition to the abrogation will continue through peaceful political activity.