After creating controversy due to her remarks on the national flag, Mehbooba Mufti had reaffirmed her faith in the J-K Constitution and the sovereignty and integrity of India, both of which, she stated, are inseparable. That controversy over the remarks on flag had triggered the J&K BJP President Ravindra Raina to request the Lt. Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha, to order her arrest. Mufti had stated that as MLA, she had taken an oath based on her faith in the constitution of J&K and sovereignty and integrity of India. It must be noted that she was detained for over a year under the Public Safety Act after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year.

Last month, she had sparked a controversy by saying that she was not interested in contesting elections or holding the national flag till the constitutional changes enforced on August 5 last year were rolled back. This statement had sparked protests in Jammu and other parts of the nation.  It had also led three PDP leaders to resign from the party.

Mufti addressed a group of media-persons in Jammu on her first visit to the region after her release from detention. She recently accused the BJP of breaking the relations of J&K with the nation which was held in the Article 370 of Indian constitution which was abrogated last year giving rise to two Union territories. She asserted her demand that the flag and constitution of J&K be reinstalled.

Mehbooba Mufti has also recently stated that dialogue is necessary with Pakistan and other stakeholders in Kashmir. She also said that the cross-border roads be opened to bring together the divided people which can bring peace and an everlasting solution in the region. She also suggested that the BJP-led government should take a leaf out of the book of the former PM late AB Vajpayee in matters related to peace in Kashmir.

Mufti stated that the militancy is on a rise in Kashmir after no middle ground was left by the GOI for the voice of the people of Kashmir. She further added that the issues are getting complicated as the voices of dissent are being muzzled using power. The politics of hatred and division of BJP, she added, has vitiated the atmosphere. Countering the GOI’s argument that militancy was finished in Kashmir, Mufti stated that atleast 10-15 youth are joining the militancy from each village. The youth in Kashmir is thinking about two options, added the former CM of J&K, whether to go to jail or pick up the gun, he chooses the latter, which can get him killed, over going to jail.