Does Jammu's Statehood Undermine J&K Leaders' Commitment to Gandhi's India?
Synopsis
In a powerful statement, Mehbooba Mufti highlights how recent actions by Hindu groups are undermining the historic decision of Jammu and Kashmir to embrace Gandhi's secular India, raising concerns over statehood based on religious lines. Is the essence of secularism in J&K under threat?
Key Takeaways
Mehbooba Mufti criticizes the actions of right-wing Hindu groups.
The revocation of medical college permission is seen as a political maneuver.
Calls for statehood based on religion threaten secularism.
Jammu and Kashmir is viewed as a testing ground for policies.
Mufti expresses concern over the implications for future generations.
Srinagar, Jan 9 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, expressed on Friday that the recent actions of certain Hindu groups have effectively contradicted the decision made by the people of the Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir to reject Mohammad Ali Jinnah's two-nation theory in favor of joining Mahatma Gandhi's secular India.
During a press conference, Mufti stated that the leadership of J&K opted for a secular India as represented by Gandhi, thereby dismissing Jinnah's two-nation theory.
“Recent actions led by right-wing Hindu organizations such as BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal, and others have nullified our leaders' decision to align with Gandhian secularism by rejecting Jinnah’s theory,” she remarked.
Mufti labeled the revocation of permission for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College by the National Medical Commission (NMC) as ‘dangerous and unfortunate’.
“A handful of right-wing Hindu groups instigated an agitation for several days, which resulted in the NMC revoking permission for the college, seemingly to prevent the admission of Muslim candidates who had passed the NEET exam. Oddly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had stated the day prior that the college should be closed, and the NMC revoked permission the very next day. This indicates a possible nexus between the Chief Minister and the right-wing groups regarding this decision,” she alleged.
She voiced concerns that calls for granting statehood to Jammu based on religion would undermine the rationale behind Kashmir's choice to join secular India.
According to Mufti, this situation is perilous as it reflects how J&K has become a testing ground for such decisions, which could later be applied nationwide.
“I fear that tomorrow, similar right-wing groups might demand the cancellation of admissions for our youth in other institutions beyond J&K. We have turned into a laboratory for testing such policies before they spread to other regions,” she claimed.
She mentioned that organizations like the NIA, ED, and crime branches conduct daily raids in Kashmir when questioned about the recent ED raid controversy in West Bengal.
“When three Chief Ministers were detained in J&K in 2019, no major political party in the rest of the country raised their voice, and now they find themselves in a similar predicament. I am confident that Mamata Banerjee is a formidable leader who will confront this challenge head-on,” she asserted.
Point of View
Mehbooba Mufti's comments underscore a significant concern about the influence of right-wing politics on the secular fabric of India. Her assertions reflect the ongoing struggle for maintaining a secular identity in Jammu and Kashmir amidst rising religious polarization. The situation demands careful observation as it may set precedents for similar movements across the country.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mehbooba Mufti say about recent political actions in J&K?
Mehbooba Mufti stated that the actions of Hindu groups are negating the commitment of J&K's leadership to join secular India, as represented by Gandhi.
How did the NMC's decision affect medical college admissions?
The NMC revoked permission for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, which Mufti suggested was influenced by pressures from right-wing groups to limit admissions for Muslim candidates.
What are the implications of calling for statehood based on religion?
Mufti warned that pursuing statehood for Jammu on religious grounds would undermine the foundational reasons for Kashmir's integration into secular India.
