In the Heart of Conflict: The Story of Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba Mufti was born on May 22, 1959, in Akhran Nowpora, Jammu and Kashmir. She is the daughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, a prominent political leader.

She completed her education at Government College for Women, Jammu, and holds a law degree from the University of Kashmir.

Mehbooba comes from a politically active family. Her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and was the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mehbooba Mufti began her political career in the Indian National Congress (INC). She was first elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 1996 from the Bijbehara constituency.

In 1999, Mehbooba co-founded the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with her father. The party was established to provide an alternative to the National Conference and to promote peace and development in the region.

In 2004, Mehbooba was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, from the Anantnag constituency. She was re-elected in 2014.

Mehbooba Mufti has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. She has focused on issues such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for women.

In April 2016, Mehbooba Mufti became the first female Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir following the death of her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. She led a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Her tenure as Chief Minister was marked by challenges, including managing the coalition with the BJP and dealing with the political and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba's term saw significant unrest in the region, particularly after the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani in 2016. Her government faced criticism for its handling of the protests and subsequent violence.

In June 2018, the coalition between PDP and BJP collapsed, leading to the imposition of Governor's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti resigned as Chief Minister following the split.

After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti was placed under detention. She was released in October 2020 after more than a year in custody.

Despite the challenges and political setbacks, Mehbooba Mufti remains a key political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. She continues to advocate for the rights and aspirations of the people of the region and works towards the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.