PDP Media Advisor Iltija Mufti Questions Restrictions on Peaceful Protest in Support of Palestine

AS: In a statement, Iltija Mufti, the Media Advisor to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concerns over the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration’s decision to prevent them from organizing a peaceful protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The party had planned a program to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine but encountered restrictions imposed by the J&K administration, including the detention of several party leaders in their residences or police lockups.Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Iltija Mufti highlighted that the PDP had intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are facing atrocities attributed to Israel. She noted that India has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause, and it is puzzling why authorities are preventing them from voicing their concerns about Israel’s actions.

Iltija emphasized that India is a democratic country where every citizen has the right to express their opinions. However, she mentioned that since 2019, there has been a growing trend of restrictions on political activities and freedom of expression. She pointed out that orders from New Delhi had influenced a significant shift in the political landscape, leading to the departure of many leaders from the PDP.

The PDP had planned peaceful protests in all district headquarters to demonstrate support for the Palestinian people. However, the authorities objected to these plans and proceeded to detain party leaders. Iltija Mufti expressed her confusion and concern regarding why the J&K administration repeatedly targets the PDP and denies the party its democratic rights.

She stressed that the PDP’s protest was not against national interests and that it aligned with India’s foreign policy of supporting Palestine. She questioned why the democratic right to protest was being curtailed, labeling the authorities’ treatment of the PDP as unpatriotic and against democratic principles. Iltija Mufti emphasized that the party believes in democracy and peace, and the right to protest peacefully is a fundamental democratic right that should not be denied.

Furthermore, Iltija Mufti raised the issue of the crackdown on the PDP, with leaders placed under house detention and others confined to police stations, which she described as a restriction on their freedom to organize functions and participate in political activities.(KNS)