Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday, 3 May alleged that a deliberate agenda is underway to shut down educational institutions and eliminate the Urdu language in the Union Territory, with the stated aim of erasing the Muslim cultural and religious identity of Jammu and Kashmir. She made the remarks while addressing a largely attended PDP workers' convention in Ganderbal district of north Kashmir.

Key Allegations by Mehbooba Mufti

Addressing party workers in Ganderbal — the Assembly constituency represented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah — Mufti specifically cited the closure of institutions such as Sirajul Uloom, which she described as a school that had provided education to poor children and had produced engineers and doctors over the years. "The educational institutions like Sirajul Uloom, which provided education to poor children and had often produced engineers and doctors, were shut down," she said.

She further alleged, "There is an agenda to close these institutions and even delete Urdu, which is aimed at erasing Muslim cultural and religious identity in Jammu and Kashmir." Mufti did not attribute the alleged agenda to any specific government order or policy document, and the claims have not been independently verified.

PDP Takes Aim at NC-Led Government

The PDP President also trained her guns on the ruling National Conference (NC), accusing it of compromising the people's cause in order to retain power. She argued that the strong public turnout at the Ganderbal convention — held in the Chief Minister's own constituency — was itself evidence of growing dissatisfaction with the elected government.

Other PDP leaders attending the convention echoed her criticism, alleging that the NC-led administration had failed to live up to the expectations of ordinary citizens, leading to widespread disillusionment. "Our leaders and workers are reaching out to people at every level. They are working collectively to provide every possible assistance to the local populace," one party leader said.

New Committee Formed, Fresh Faces Expected

The convention also saw the formation of a new party committee aimed at strengthening the PDP's grassroots presence across the region. The panel will be led by senior PDP leader and former Member of Parliament Mehboob Beg, and includes Advocate Abdul Haq Khan, Peerzada Mansoor, Yasir Reshi, and Waheed Para.

Party leaders said the newly formed committee is expected to begin work immediately, focusing on strengthening party units, mobilising support, and preparing the ground for future political engagements. They also indicated that several new leaders are expected to join the PDP in the coming days, as many individuals have reportedly expressed willingness to be part of the party's mission.

What This Signals for J&K Politics

The Ganderbal convention marks a visible attempt by the PDP to reassert its relevance in the Kashmir Valley's political landscape, particularly after its diminished showing in recent electoral cycles. Notably, choosing the Chief Minister's own constituency as the venue for the convention is a pointed political statement. This comes amid broader debates over governance, cultural rights, and the political future of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory. How the NC government responds to these allegations — and whether the PDP's outreach translates into electoral ground — will be closely watched in the months ahead.