Srinagar, Jan 20 (JKNS): Senior Bhartiya Janta Party BJP leader and Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Tuesday launched a blistering and unequivocal attack on PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for her demand to grant divisional status to Erstwhile Doda, Rajouri and Poonch terming it a deeply conspiratorial, divisive and anti-national agenda that mirrors the long-standing strategy of Pakistan’s ISI.
Altaf Thakur said Mehbooba Mufti’s statement has nothing to do with development, governance or public welfare, but is instead a carefully crafted political ploy aimed at dismembering the historical, cultural and administrative unity of the Jammu region.
“Mehbooba Mufti is not speaking for the people of Erstwhile Doda, Rajouri and Poonch; she is repeating the language of Pakistan and its ISI, which has always dreamt of creating a so-called ‘Greater Kashmir’ by gradually absorbing Jammu’s Muslim-majority belts into Kashmir. This is a dangerous experiment on India’s sovereignty,” Thakur said. He said that why can’t “Marz and Kmaraz” have seprate divisons besides Central Kashmir?
He said that the PDP chief’s demand is part of a larger design to disturb demographic balance, foment regional discord and create a sense of alienation among communities, particularly minorities.
“There is a deliberate attempt to resurrect fear psychosis among Kashmiri Pandits living in Erstwhile Doda, Rajouri and Poonch. History is a witness that such narratives have earlier led to forced migration and irreparable human tragedy. BJP will never allow such dark chapters to be repeated,” Thakur asserted.
The BJP spokesperson said Mehbooba Mufti has consistently opposed national integration from defending separatists and terrorists to questioning India’s constitutional authority and her latest demand is a continuation of that mindset.
“Whenever PDP finds itself politically irrelevant, Mehbooba Mufti reaches for Pakistan-sponsored narratives to stay afloat. This divisional demand is not about empowerment; it is about fragmentation, confusion and chaos,” he said.
Thakur categorically rejected any attempt to redraw administrative or political structures of Jammu region under pressure from appeasement politics.
“Erstwhile Doda, Poonch and Rajouri are the pride of Jammu region. Their people are patriotic, peace-loving and development-oriented. They have no time for Mehbooba’s poisonous, Pakistan-pleasing politics,” he said.
He reaffirmed that BJP stands firmly for balanced regional development, equitable administration and national unity, and warned PDP against pushing agendas that threaten India’s integrity.
“Let Mehbooba Mufti understand clearly Jammu is not negotiable, India’s unity is non-negotiable, and PDP’s Pakistani agenda will be exposed and defeated at every level. BJP will fight this battle on the streets, in institutions and before the people, and we will win,” Altaf Thakur added. (JKNS)
