Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Mehbooba Mufti says J&K’s accession promises have been broken
Mehbooba Mufti marked Accession Day by criticizing the Centre over what she said were broken promises to Jammu and Kashmir.
The day commemorates the region’s 1947 accession to India, which was formalized through an Instrument of Accession.
That instrument limited India’s role to defence, foreign affairs, communications and currency, Mufti said.
She argued that removing Article 370 in 2019 weakened safeguards for the region’s identity, land, jobs and political rights.
Mufti also cited restrictions and heavy security presence as signs that people’s silence should not be treated as acceptance.
The BJP celebrated the accession in Srinagar and Jammu, saying it gave the region a secure future within India.
The competing observances reflect deep disagreement over the meaning of accession and the changes since 2019.
Mehbooba Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India came with promises to protect its identity and rights, and that those promises had been broken.
The PDP president said the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 weakened constitutional safeguards and political rights.
She said restrictions and the use of laws and force were being used instead of dialogue.
The BJP also marked Accession Day, describing the accession as historic and saying it offered the region a secure future in India.
The 79th anniversary was observed on October 26, 2026.
- Who
- PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, and the BJP, which also marked Accession Day.
- What
- Mufti said promises made when Jammu and Kashmir joined India had been broken. The BJP celebrated the accession.
- When
- October 26, 2026, the 79th anniversary of Accession Day.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, including events in Srinagar and Jammu.
- Why
- Mufti said the accession was based on trust and assurances to protect the region’s identity, land, jobs and composite culture.
Mehbooba Mufti
BJP
Meaning of accession
Mehbooba Mufti
The accession came with guarantees to protect Jammu and Kashmir’s distinct identity and interests, and those promises have been broken.
BJP
The accession was historic and, in the BJP spokesperson’s view, offered the people of Jammu and Kashmir a secure future in India.
Article 370
Mehbooba Mufti
Its abrogation weakened constitutional safeguards and political rights.
BJP
Not stated.
Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, agreeing to Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India.
The accession came into effect.
The provisions of Article 370 were abrogated.
October 26 was introduced as an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mufti and the BJP marked the 79th anniversary of Accession Day.
- Anniversary
- 79th Accession Day, observed October 26, 2026
- Accession instrument
- Signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947
- Accession took effect
- October 27, 1947
- Article 370
- Its provisions were abrogated in 2019
- Official holiday
- October 26 became an official holiday in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020
2 sources
What people are saying
J&K’s accession to India came with guarantees, not a blank cheque for their violation
but those promises have been broken.
This is not normality; it is fear
It is a historic day that we celebrate. The Maharaja was a great visionary, as he felt the people of Jammu and Kashmir would have a secure future in the Union of India