Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticized those calling for war, urging them to experience firsthand the harsh realities faced by people living along India’s border regions. In a pointed statement, she said that individuals who advocate military action should spend time with their families in border areas before promoting conflict from positions of safety.
Her comments come amid rising tensions and increasingly aggressive rhetoric from certain political and social groups calling for tough military responses to cross-border issues. Mufti’s remarks were aimed at those who, she believes, speak casually about war without understanding its devastating impact on human lives, especially civilians living close to conflict zones.
“Those who talk about war sitting in television studios or political platforms should go live with their families in border villages for a few days,” she said during a public address. “Only then will they understand what it means when shells fall near your home, schools are shut, and people live in constant fear.”
Mehbooba Mufti has long maintained that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy. She reiterated that while national security is important, provoking conflict without regard for its consequences does more harm than good. She added that war brings with it not only military casualties but also deep civilian suffering—something often ignored in political debates.
In border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, people regularly endure displacement, destruction of property, and trauma due to cross-border shelling. Schools remain closed for long periods, economic activity suffers, and entire families are forced to take shelter in bunkers. Mufti stressed that these are the people who pay the highest price whenever conflict escalates.
She also pointed out that the youth in conflict-prone areas deserve opportunities for education and development, not the threat of war looming over their lives. “If we truly care about national interest, then we must protect our citizens, especially those who live at the frontlines,” she said.
Mufti’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions. While many on social media praised her for speaking in defense of common people, others criticized her views as being too soft on issues of national security. However, political analysts noted that her call for empathy and realism highlights the human cost of militaristic discourse.
This statement adds to Mufti’s consistent stand that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve peace, stability, and a voice in shaping their future. She has previously appealed for reducing military presence in civilian areas and resuming talks with stakeholders, both within and outside India.
In a region long affected by conflict and political uncertainty, Mufti's remarks serve as a reminder that the language of war, though popular in some circles, often ignores the pain of those who are forced to live through its consequences.
