SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a compassionate review of jailed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik’s case.
In her letter, Mehbooba described Malik’s 1994 decision to renounce violence as a “rare and courageous step” towards reconciliation, noting his role in back-channel dialogues with Indian agencies and his participation in peace talks under successive governments. She warned that pursuing life imprisonment or the death penalty against him would “shatter fragile trust” and further alienate Kashmiris from democratic processes.
“The spirit of India lies in our capacity to show magnanimity and uphold promises made in pursuit of peace,” Mehbooba wrote, urging the government to temper justice with mercy. She said closing doors on Malik’s case risked perpetuating conflict and extinguishing hope for reconciliation.
Reiterating her appeal on X, Mehbooba said denying Malik another chance after he renounced violence would “only deepen alienation” at a time when Jammu and Kashmir “desperately needs healing and reconciliation.”
I’ve written to Shri Amit Shah ji to view Yasin Malik’s case through a humanitarian lens. While I differ with his political ideology, one cannot ignore the courage it took him to renounce violence and choose the path of political engagement and non violent dissent . pic.twitter.com/vbAMeHYDIv
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 19, 2025
The PDP chief emphasised that dialogue and reconciliation, not force, were essential for lasting peace in the region.
