Kashmir issue will be resolved by talks that heal, not experiments or UAPA: Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and head of the Peoples Democratic Party, addressed the ongoing dispute over the region in a recent statement. She argued that the Indian government's reliance on a series of experimental security policies has failed to bring stability and has instead deepened mistrust among the local population. According to Mufti, the repeated use of heavy‑handed tactics, including the deployment of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, has not addressed the underlying political grievances that fuel unrest.

The former chief minister highlighted that the protests that erupted in Delhi earlier this year reflected a broader national frustration that mirrors the experience of Kashmir residents. She noted that demonstrators in the capital faced police action and curbs on assembly, a situation she described as a taste of the restrictions that have been imposed on Kashmir for years. By drawing this parallel, Mufti emphasized that the same approach of suppression cannot resolve a conflict that is fundamentally political and emotional.

Mufti called for a renewed emphasis on talks that aim to build trust between the centre and the valley. She suggested that a framework of inclusive dialogue, involving local leaders, civil society and the central government, would create conditions for genuine reconciliation. While she did not outline a specific roadmap, her remarks signal a demand for a shift away from punitive legislation toward a process that acknowledges the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Observers note that such a stance could influence future negotiations, especially as the region remains a focal point of domestic and international attention.