Bijbehara, Jan 7: Peopl.es Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said her father and party founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, consistently placed the dignity of Kashmiris above political power, even when he had opportunities to form governments.
Speaking at Bijbehara on the 10th death anniversary of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba became emotional and broke down while recalling her father’s political legacy, pausing several times as she addressed party workers and supporters.
“Here, people often choose power, but my father always chose his people over power,” Mehbooba said. “I followed Mufti Sahib’s path because I believed he had a foresight that very few leaders in Kashmir possessed.”
She said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed believed in direct engagement with people and never pursued office for its own sake.
“He never chased the chair; he chased the people,” she said. “That is why he is remembered with respect even today.”
Mehbooba said her father envisioned a Kashmir where people could live with dignity and freely express their views.
“He believed in dialogue and outreach – whether within Kashmir or across the border,” she said.
Recalling past political developments, she said Mufti Sayeed’s credibility led national parties to approach him despite his limited electoral strength.
“We had only 16 seats in 2002, yet the Congress leadership at the Centre approached him to discuss government formation,” she said. “That respect came from his credibility and the trust he enjoyed.”
She said a similar situation arose in 2014.
“When we got 28 seats, the BJP approached us, but Mufti Sahib again put conditions that our special status would be protected, talks would be initiated with separatists and Pakistan, and routes across Kashmir would be opened before going for alliance,” she said.
Mehbooba said she travelled “to every village, forest and mountain” to carry forward her father’s political vision.
“People did not understand him then, but today they realise that had he been alive, we would not be in a situation where people are jailed for speaking the truth and dissent is silenced,” she said.
She said her father’s legacy was rooted in dignity and respect for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“He earned honour not just for himself, but for the people,” she said. “That is why his name continues to be remembered.”
Warning that unemployment and alienation among youth in Jammu and Kashmir have reached serious levels, Mehbooba said growing frustration was pushing many into despair.
“Our youth feel depressed and disconnected. That frustration is driving some to extreme choices,” she said.
Referring to recent incidents, she cited the Red Fort blast case, saying a doctor from Pulwama died after carrying out the attack, while another man from Qazigund self-immolated following the arrest of his son.
“These are not isolated incidents; they depict the deep despair in society,” she said.
She also said hundreds of Kashmiri youths were lodged in jails within and outside the Union Territory.
“When I approached courts seeking their shifting to jails in Kashmir and the release of those detained without justification, I was mocked,” she said. “If I do not speak for these poor people, who will?”
Mehbooba launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of remaining silent on issues affecting ordinary people, particularly land acquisition and orchardists.
“He has an absolute majority with 50 seats and representation in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, yet he remains silent on issues that hurt the poor,” she said. “From morning till evening, he only targets the PDP.”
She alleged that orchards and trees were being cut in the name of development and said the chief minister did not understand the economic and emotional value of land for ordinary families.
“Land here means survival,” she said. “That is why silence on these issues is unacceptable.”
Mehbooba urged the government to ensure employment and rehabilitation for locals before acquiring land for railway and other infrastructure projects.
“Before taking even an inch of land, the government must guarantee jobs for affected families,” she said.
She said the PDP posed no challenge to the present government.
“People have already given everything to him (Omar) by giving more than 50 seats. The PDP is nowhere today,” she said.
Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti, along with PDP leaders and workers, paid tributes to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and offered Fateha Khwani at his ancestral graveyard in Darashikoh garden in Bijbehara town.
