PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday stressed the need for sustained dialogue and deeper public engagement, while raising concerns over growing distress among youth and a range of pressing issues affecting Budgam.
Speaking during a “Kath Ba’ath” interaction in Budgam, she expressed gratitude to participants, including youth and elders, for openly sharing their concerns. She described the gathering as a reflection of collective awareness and active public participation.
Reiterating that meaningful dialogue remains the only viable path forward, she invoked the approach of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, underlining that engagement and communication are essential to address grievances, find closure, and work towards lasting peace, said a press release.
Today’s Kath Baath in Budgam was deeply moving. Listening to these young aspiring voices is both inspiring and humbling. They spoke with raw honesty and passion about the pain they see around then , a fragile volatile environment, the dark shadows of drug abuse and the silent… pic.twitter.com/nsq6Z4DPyg
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 14, 2026
Interacting with reporters, she said the initiative was not politically driven but aimed at listening to people, especially the youth, whom she described as feeling “under pressure,” “disillusioned,” and “constrained” in the prevailing atmosphere. “It was important to hear young voices. If PDP can contribute in any way to easing their challenges, it would be a step in the right direction,” she said. She noted that the discussions brought forward a wide spectrum of concerns—from local developmental issues and social challenges to broader perspectives, including views on international developments shared by participants.
Mufti also voiced concern over incidents related to cow vigilantism, urging restraint and caution. She appealed to the BJP to avoid actions that could disrupt peace and harmony in the region. “This is Jammu and Kashmir, and its sensitivities must be respected,” she said. Commenting on foreign policy, she questioned India’s positioning as a neutral mediator in global conflicts, suggesting that its ties with Israel may influence international perceptions.
