Iltija appeared at the Kothi Bagh police station on Friday after being summoned by police in connection with the case.
Addressing party workers at the PDP office, Mehbooba said the case was not about her or her daughter as individuals but about attempts to silence voices questioning the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
“This isn’t about Mehbooba Mufti or Iltija Mufti as individuals. It is about silencing every voice that speaks for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and questions the unconstitutional abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A,” she said.
“Mehbooba Mufti will come and go. Iltija Mufti will come and go. But the aspirations and sentiments of the people will endure. The PDP will continue its peaceful and democratic struggle to represent those aspirations and stand by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
She alleged that her party was being selectively targeted for raising the issue of Article 370, while questioning why the National Conference and other parties were not subjected to similar action.
“We are the only party who along with seeking a resolution to the Kashmir issue, protested day and night for Article 370. The targeting that we have faced is not something new,” Mehbooba said.
She alleged that since 2019, the PDP had faced attempts to weaken and divide the party.
“The National Conference had protested, the Congress has protested and other parties have protested. But here, talking about Article 370 has become a crime. Whoever talks about Article 370 is being called a criminal. That is why the FIR has been registered,” she said.
She also accused Omar Abdullah of fleeing Kashmir on the seventh anniversary of abrogation of Article 370.
On August 5, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the flood-affected areas of Poonch district to assess the devastation caused by the recent flash floods and cloudbursts,
“Omar sahib you get angry because when a party talks about Article 370 you level allegations against it. You fled to Rajouri, Poonch on August 5 .Floods had come much early there. You fled so that you have to say nothing…,” she said.
Mehbooba also criticised the BJP, saying that the party had promised development in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 but accused it of instead creating an atmosphere of fear.
“Article 370 is in the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said, alleging that people were being arrested, government employees dismissed and houses demolished in the region.
The PDP chief also defended her daughter Iltija over the alleged manhandling of women protesters during the party’s August 4 demonstration, saying she had neither carried a stone nor any weapon.
“Whether I am inside or outside, the agenda of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed his vision to bring peace in Jammu and Kashmir, has given us a map. We should not leave that. We have to hold on to that,” she said.
Meanwhile, Iltija Mufti on Friday said her party would continue its “peaceful battle” for the restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, asserting that it would not settle for the restoration of statehood.
Addressing the media after appearing at Kothi Bagh Police Station in connection with the FIR registered over the alleged assault on a police personnel during the PDP’s August 4 protest, Iltija said the action against the party was linked to its continued demand for restoration of Article 370.
Iltija said the PDP had the right to peacefully protest against the changes made on August 5, 2019, and alleged that the party had been targeted and weakened for raising the issue.
She questioned the focus of other political parties on statehood, saying the PDP would continue to demand the restoration of Article 370, the erstwhile state flag, Constitution and residuary powers.
“I am willing to cooperate with the police, but my larger issue is J&K’s special status and Article 370,” she said.
Iltija maintained that advocating restoration of Article 370 peacefully was her legal right as an Indian citizen and said she was prepared to face imprisonment if required.
“We will not beg for statehood. We will take back Article 370 from you-our flag, our Constitution,” she said, adding that the PDP would continue its struggle until the special status was restored.
