SRINAGAR: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday condemned Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh for describing party president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti as a “terrorist” while criticising her protest against the abrogation of Article 370.
PDP leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para termed Singh’s remarks “outrageous” and “irresponsible”, saying such comments were unbecoming of a Union Minister.
In a post on X, Para said referring to Mehbooba Mufti, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and senior Muslim woman leader, in such terms reflected “prejudice and political intolerance”.
“Giriraj Singh’s remarks calling PDP President Mehbooba Mufti a ‘terrorist’ are outrageous, irresponsible, and beneath the dignity of a Union Minister,” Para wrote.
“Such language against a former Chief Minister of JK and a senior Muslim woman leader reflects nothing but prejudice and political intolerance. This is not a political statement; it is a reflection of Giriraj Singh’s own mindset,” he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Singh alleged that Mehbooba Mufti had “sided with terrorists for so long”. He also claimed that the BJP had attempted to “set her on the right path” during its alliance with the PDP, but that she had not changed.
Singh described the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, as a “historic day” for the country and compared its significance with Independence Day and Republic Day.
He said the constitutional changes fulfilled the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and strengthened the principle of “one nation, one flag, one prime minister, and one constitution”.
The BJP leader’s remarks came after Mehbooba Mufti led a PDP protest on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. The PDP president reiterated the party’s demand for restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and described August 5 as a “dark day” for Jammu and Kashmir.
