SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has urged Home Minister Amit Shah to review the terror funding case against jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik. In a letter dated Friday, Mufti advocated for “a compassionate and urgent review” of Malik’s case, emphasizing his longstanding commitment to non-violence.
Mufti highlighted Malik’s history of engaging in dialogue with senior officials, intelligence personnel, and even contentious figures like Hafiz Saeed, actions she claims occurred with the tacit consent of Indian authorities. She referenced Malik’s recent affidavit submitted in the Delhi High Court, stating, “These efforts represented a painstaking and deliberate attempt to build bridges in a deeply fractured land.”
In her letter, Mufti described her perspective as one shaped by personal experience, saying she has lived through the turbulent times of Kashmir and has witnessed its grief and silenced hopes. She noted Malik’s notable decision in 1994 to abandon armed struggle in favor of political methods, arguing that this shift was facilitated through back-channel negotiations with Indian agencies.
Malik’s affidavit further details his involvement in backchannel diplomacy, including private meetings with former Prime Ministers and intelligence leaders. He was sentenced to life in prison by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on charges of receiving foreign funding and collaborating with terrorist entities. The NIA has appealed to the Delhi High Court for his life term to be converted into a death penalty.
Mufti’s letter does not intend to challenge the judiciary but instead calls for a responsible exercise of democratic principles to balance justice and mercy. She asserted that the essence of India lies in its capacity for magnanimity and upholding promises made in pursuit of peace.
In contrast, Sajad Lone, chief of the Peoples Conference and a Member of the Legislative Assembly, accused Mufti of hypocrisy. He characterized her plea for clemency for Malik, the chairperson of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, as “mere theatrics.”
