Kashmir’s special status looted the same way Ram Temple was by BJP: Mehbooba Mufti

Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) evening held protest in Srinagar on the eve of seventh anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 and said the way the BJP looted the Ram Temple, is the same way it looted the special status from people of J&K. 

Terming August 4 as “the darkest night in J&K’s history”, Ms. Mufti said, “Neither Pakistan nor China granted Article 370 and 35A to J&K but it was the Indian Constitution. However, the BJP used the brute majority to snatch Article 370 from J&K. We are an alive nation and will keep fighting for it,” said Ms. Mufti.

She said Ambedkar’s constitution was first diluted for J&K but people of the country stayed silent. “However, people are getting to know how the BJP was treating the Constitution,” she said. 

Carrying the Indian flag on one hand and erstwhile J&K State’s separate flag in another hand, Ms. Mufti said, “Article 370 provided a protection of J&K’s land. identity and jobs.”

She also demanded the release of youths of J&K from the jails in and outside the Union Territory. “People are dying on both sides of Kashmir. In Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot, Kashmiris are dying. We saw a police constable killed recently on this side of Kashmir. It was followed by hundreds of arrests of locals. Houses were also demolished. A house, where the militant is not living anymore, was also demolished. Our two labourers were also killed,” said Ms. Mufti. 

Meanwhile, the PDP alleged that Ms. Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti was “heckled by the police” during a protest in Srinagar. Later, PDP supporters also raised slogans, demanding return of Article 370 and 35A.