Mehbooba Mufti led a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday to demand the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status [1].
The demonstration marks a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between regional leadership and the central government over the administration of the union territory. The event coincided with the seventh anniversary [1] of the abrogation of Article 370.
Mufti, the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP), called for the reinstatement of the region's special status and the release of political prisoners who have been detained since the abrogation in August 2019 [1, 2]. The protest took place in Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian-administered region [1].
During the event, Mufti held the Indian tricolour flag upside down [3]. This action drew criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which said the gesture was a sign of disrespect toward the national symbol [3].
Further tensions emerged as Giriraj Singh said Mufti was a terrorist in response to the protest [4]. The PDP said the characterizations were wrong, defending their right to peaceful demonstration and political advocacy [4].
Security remained tight across the region during the anniversary. Multi-tier security arrangements were implemented to manage opposition protests and maintain order throughout the union territory [2].
“Mehbooba Mufti led a protest in Srinagar demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status”
The continued protests by the PDP highlight the enduring political divide in Jammu and Kashmir seven years after the removal of its special status. By linking the demand for Article 370 with the release of political prisoners, Mufti is attempting to mobilize a base that views the 2019 decision as a fundamental breach of autonomy. The escalation of rhetoric—specifically the BJP's reaction to the flag and the use of the term 'terrorist'—indicates that the transition from a state to a union territory remains a deeply contested issue with little room for diplomatic compromise.
