The Jammu and Kashmir Police questioned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Friday (August 7, 2026), a day after an FIR was filed against the party and its leaders following street protests in Srinagar on August 4 to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the arrest as “a fixed match”.

Ms. Mufti arrived at the Kothibagh Police Station in Srinagar around 2 p.m. and was subjected to on-camera questioning for around two hours. The police filed a case on Thursday (August 6) under Section 132 (assault on a public servant), 121 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty) and 191 (2) (political rallies and mob violence). The FIR mentioned PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija.

Ahead of Iltija’s questioning by the police, PDP president Ms. Mufti addressed party workers at their headquarters in Srinagar. She alleged the police FIR was an attempt “to silence the party”. “A male constable was directed to drag Iltija. Should a policeman touch a woman? When a woman is held by her neck, what should she do? It’s unfortunate,” said Ms. Mufti.

She said the BJP also held a rally (on August 5) and “berated our women, but no FIR was lodged”. “The Congress, National Conference (NC), J&K Apni Party etc. also held protests. No FIRs. It’s because these parties limited their protest to Statehood. The PDP talked about Article 370 and resolution of the Kashmir issue. Article 370 is being criminalised. The fact is Article 370 remains in our hearts,” said Ms. Mufti.

Instill fear

Ms. Mufti said the crackdown and arrests in Kashmir were meant “to instill fear and stop people from raising the issue of Article 370”. Ms. Mufti said if she or her daughter is jailed “the mission of party founder Mufti Muhammad Sayeed must be taken forward”.

Ms. Iltija also held a presser after the police questioning. “As an Indian citizen, I am entitled to protest peacefully and demand restoration of Article 370. What I am doing is not illegal or sedition. I will continue to fight for the rights of every resident of J&K. I am not an anti-national. The Constitution allows me to raise these issues,” Ms. Iltija said.

J&K CM Abdullah said Ms. Iltija’s questioning was a “fixed match”. “The PDP is a creation of the [intelligence] agencies. Whenever their image takes a hit, they attempt to restore their credibility. Is Iltija Mufti a five-year-old child who is likely to bite? This is nothing but a fixed match and an attempt to divert attention from the Banta Hai comment by its leader (Mehbooba),” said Mr. Abdullah.

Published - August 07, 2026 09:54 pm IST