<p>Srinagar: Skipping any mention of Article 370, special status or statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/mehbooba-mufti">Mehbooba Mufti</a> on Monday called on the government of India to assume a “big brother” role and initiate dialogue with Pakistan to ensure long-term peace in the region.</p><p>Speaking at a low-key event marking the 26th Foundation Day of the PDP in Srinagar, Mehbooba’s brief 10-minute address focused largely on the themes of peace, war, and the fragile internal situation in Kashmir.</p><p>However, she notably avoided raising key political issues that have long formed the core of her party’s narrative — including the abrogation of Article 370.</p><p>“India must act like a big brother in Asia and maintain friendly relations with Pakistan,” the PDP chief said. “The Indian government says no one should interfere in its external affairs, but I will — because all wars are fought here, and it’s the people of Jammu and Kashmir who suffer.”</p>.J&K: Mehbooba Mufti seeks dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits.<p>She warned that the continued hostility between India and Pakistan was not only keeping the region unstable but also damaging India’s economic standing. “India is like an elephant — it has the manpower and potential — yet our GDP is far behind China’s. War-mongering has dragged India back,” she said.</p><p>Avoiding her usual criticism of the abrogation of Article 370, the former chief minister instead concentrated on the deteriorating internal situation in the Valley. “The Kashmir issue cannot be resolved by deploying more security forces, enforcing draconian laws like UAPA, or jailing youth,” she said. “There have been six custodial deaths of tribal youth in recent times. If Kashmiris won’t demand dialogue, who will?”</p><p>The BJP-led government, since scrapping Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, has maintained that the Kashmir issue stands resolved and that any future engagement with Pakistan would only be about ending cross-border terrorism.</p><p>Addressing Prime Minister Modi directly, the PDP chief said: “You have the mandate of 120 crore people. If anyone can resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, it is you. If India wants to overtake China, we must end this war-like environment and move toward reconciliation.”</p><p>Reaffirming the PDP’s political philosophy, Mehbooba said her party has always believed in dialogue — whether in government or in opposition. “Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed founded this party to bring reconciliation between India and Pakistan and healing to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. “Engagement, not suppression, is the way forward.”</p>
<p>Srinagar: Skipping any mention of Article 370, special status or statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/mehbooba-mufti">Mehbooba Mufti</a> on Monday called on the government of India to assume a “big brother” role and initiate dialogue with Pakistan to ensure long-term peace in the region.</p><p>Speaking at a low-key event marking the 26th Foundation Day of the PDP in Srinagar, Mehbooba’s brief 10-minute address focused largely on the themes of peace, war, and the fragile internal situation in Kashmir.</p><p>However, she notably avoided raising key political issues that have long formed the core of her party’s narrative — including the abrogation of Article 370.</p><p>“India must act like a big brother in Asia and maintain friendly relations with Pakistan,” the PDP chief said. “The Indian government says no one should interfere in its external affairs, but I will — because all wars are fought here, and it’s the people of Jammu and Kashmir who suffer.”</p>.J&K: Mehbooba Mufti seeks dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits.<p>She warned that the continued hostility between India and Pakistan was not only keeping the region unstable but also damaging India’s economic standing. “India is like an elephant — it has the manpower and potential — yet our GDP is far behind China’s. War-mongering has dragged India back,” she said.</p><p>Avoiding her usual criticism of the abrogation of Article 370, the former chief minister instead concentrated on the deteriorating internal situation in the Valley. “The Kashmir issue cannot be resolved by deploying more security forces, enforcing draconian laws like UAPA, or jailing youth,” she said. “There have been six custodial deaths of tribal youth in recent times. If Kashmiris won’t demand dialogue, who will?”</p><p>The BJP-led government, since scrapping Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, has maintained that the Kashmir issue stands resolved and that any future engagement with Pakistan would only be about ending cross-border terrorism.</p><p>Addressing Prime Minister Modi directly, the PDP chief said: “You have the mandate of 120 crore people. If anyone can resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, it is you. If India wants to overtake China, we must end this war-like environment and move toward reconciliation.”</p><p>Reaffirming the PDP’s political philosophy, Mehbooba said her party has always believed in dialogue — whether in government or in opposition. “Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed founded this party to bring reconciliation between India and Pakistan and healing to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. “Engagement, not suppression, is the way forward.”</p>