PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti refuses to raise Indian tricolour till 'J&K flag is brought back'

Addressing first press conference since her release from detention, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday, said that she would raise Indian tricolour only when Jammu-Kashmir state flag 'comes back'. Asserting that state flag forged relation of Union territory with India, Mufti said that she would strive to get back Article 370. Mufti was released in October, almost 14 months after she was detained by  J&K administration.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India records 54,366 cases, 73,979 recoveries in 24 hours

Mufti: 'Won't raise tricolour'

"My flag is this (points to flag of J&K kept on table in front of her). When this flag comes back, we'll raise that flag (tricolour) too. Until we get our own flag back, we won't raise any or flag. Our relationship with flag of this country is t independent of this flag (Jammu and Kashmir's flag). When this flag comes in our hand, we will raise that flag too," said Mufti.

Opining on India-China standoff, she said, " It's a fact that China captured 1000 sq km of our land. I think we somehow mand to get back around 40 km. China speaks of Article 370 too. y say it's disputed & ask why was J&K made UT? J&K came into international view like never before after abrogation."

Congress and CPM welcome 'Gupkar Declaration', demand restoration of Art 370 & 35 A

Reacting to Mufti's refusal to raise tricolour, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, " Mehbooba Mufti claims to be a mainstream politician but she has reservations in carrying tricolour. We've maintained for last several years that Kashmir's so-called politicians sometimes tend to be more dangerous than apparently identified separatists."

Gupkar declaration

After release of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti after 14 months of detention, mainstream Kashmiri politicians who had signed Gupkar Declaration on August 4, 2019, met at NC chief Farooq Abdullah's residence on October 15. Signing new Gupkar declaration, NC president Farooq Abdullah affirmed that Centre must restore special status of Jammu and Kashmir.   Gupkar Declaration was a resolution passed by NC, PDP, Congress, CPI(M), JKPC and ANC on August 4, 2019, pledging to protect "identity, automy and special status" of J&K. Flanked by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and his son Omar, Abdullah anunced alliance's name has been changed to  'People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration'. 

IPL 2020 Live Updates: Rahul dismisses his elder bror Deepak Chahar

On August 4, 2019, all mainstream political leaders like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah, Sajid Lone were arrested or placed under house- arrest, communication links and internet were snapped, while whole Valley was put under strict curfew. A day later, Parliament revoked Article 370 & Article 35 A, bifurcating state into two Union territories - Jammu- Kashmir & Ladakh. While full-speed 4G mobile internet is yet to be restored to Valley, Centre has changed domicile law of J&K, issuing over 18.52 domicile certificates issued. Most mainstream J&K parties like - NC, PDP, JKPC, JKPM, Apni Party have rejected new domicile laws.

In first mess after release, Mehbooba Mufti claims 'will take back what Delhi snatched’