PDP marks 26th Foundation Day, Mehbooba Mufti says Kashmiris want ‘peace with dignity’

Srinagar, July 28: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday marked its 26th Foundation Day with a commemorative event at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar.

The party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti used the occasion to call for a revival of dialogue and reconciliation in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that Kashmiris want “peace with dignity.”

In her address, Mehbooba Mufti invoked the legacy of her father and PDP founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, calling the day a tribute to his vision of “Aman ki Baat, Izzat ke Saath” (Peace with Dignity). She said the PDP was born at a time of political uncertainty and was never meant to be a disruptive force, but rather one that aimed to reduce the suffering of the people.

“Mufti Sahab always believed India should be strong, but also compassionate,” she said. “He called India an elephant—majestic and powerful—but sadly, this elephant has now chained its own feet, and that chain is Jammu and Kashmir.”

Mehbooba criticised what she termed the shrinking democratic space for Kashmiris, especially when it comes to discussions around India’s foreign policy. “Whenever a Kashmiri talks of peace with Pakistan, they’re told not to interfere. But how can you talk about India’s foreign policy and exclude Jammu and Kashmir? We pay the price in blood,” she said. “Our children died, our fathers died—what was the result? Zero.”

The PDP chief also questioned India’s development priorities, drawing comparisons with China. “Despite having a younger population, we lag behind China in every aspect. Even our own External Affairs Minister admits we can’t match China. So why spend on missiles when there’s no investment in education or healthcare?” she asked.

She warned that despite its economic struggles, Pakistan remains central to India’s security discourse. “If you say Kashmir is integral, then let Kashmiris speak. You fight wars in our name, and yet our voices are silenced,” she said.

Referring to past prime ministers, Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir has tested every Indian leader—from Indira Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. “They all made efforts. Now it is up to Prime Minister Modi. He has the mandate and capacity—if he chooses to walk the path of peace,” she said.

She expressed concern over the increasing deployment of forces and use of laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA) in the region. “How many more arrests, how many more killings? Even tribals are not being spared. This is not the path to peace,” she warned.

Mehbooba concluded her address by welcoming India’s decision to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament and urged the government to adopt a similar approach in Kashmir. “Talk to the people, engage with them, embrace them. That’s how peace is achieved—not by force, but by winning hearts.”