Mehbooba Mufti Refers To Afghanistan Over J&K Statehood, Sparks Row

Mehbooba Mufti's remarks drew a sharp reaction from the BJP which accused her of indulging in "politics of hatred" after losing ground in the Union Territory

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday asked the Centre to take a lesson out of Afghanistan where the Taliban seized power and made the US flee, and urged the government to hold dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir and return its special status which was revoked in 2019. Ms Mehbooba's remarks drew a sharp reaction from the BJP which accused her of indulging in "politics of hatred" after losing ground in the Union Territory and said anyone who conspires against India will be destroyed. Referring to the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, the former Chief Minister warned the Centre "to not test us" and asked the government to "mend its ways, understand the situation, and see what is happening in your neighbourhood." "America, a superpower, had to pack their bags and flee. You (the Centre) still have the opportunity to start a dialogue process in J-K like (former PM) Vajpayee had and mend your mistake of snatching the J-K's identity illegally and unconstitutionally and splitting of J-K, otherwise it will be too late," she said, referring to the decisions of August 5, 2019.