Full faith in SC, Article 35A will not be changed: Mehbooba

“I have full faith in the Supreme Court. I have conviction that like in the past, this time as well, the Supreme Court will strike down (the petition challenging 35A),” she said and urged the Indian government to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

She said that cutting across party lines, we all stand together to save the identity of the state whenever it is challenged.

“Nobody can separate us when our identity and culture is at stake. We are united to save our special status,” she said.

In her address at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar on the eve of India’s 70th Independence Day, Mufti lamented that youth in Kashmir instead of having pens in their hands have guns on their shoulders.

“Kashmiryat is not seen anywhere in Kashmir but it is now seen in Jammu and Ladakh where people from all faiths walk shoulder to shoulder,” she said.

“Kashmir issue is a human issue that needs to be resolved within the framework of humanity," said the CM.

"I hope that the Central Government will bring Vajpayee Ji’s promise into practice and take the people of Jammu and Kashmir out of this whirlpool through dialogue. Dialogue is also in our agenda of alliance,” she said.

She also appealed to Pakistan not play “negative” role in Kashmir.

Appealing to Pakistan to stop its ‘negative’ role in Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti said that Pakistan should engage India in a dialogue and help in the resolution of Kashmir issue.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)