New Delhi, India - On February 8th, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, was detained by Delhi police while participating in a protest against the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in the city.
The protest was organized by the PDP to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and to bring their grievances to the attention of the public, opposition parties, and members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking about her detention, Mehbooba Mufti stated, "We had come to inform the public, opposition parties, and members of the ruling BJP about the misery faced by the public at large in Jammu and Kashmir. If we can’t go to Parliament, I wonder where we should go then. Does the government want us to get our grievances redressed at the United Nations?"
She went on to express concern about the lack of rule of law in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, "It seems that here also the voice of the general public is muzzled."
In addition to Mehbooba Mufti, several other PDP workers were also detained by Delhi police during the protest. The incident has raised questions about the freedom of speech and assembly in India, and has sparked calls for a more transparent and democratic government.