In a recent opinion piece, Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, challenged the official government narrative regarding the current state of Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti argues that the administration is maintaining a 'facade of normalcy' to mask underlying tensions and unresolved political grievances. According to Mufti, the absence of overt conflict or protests does not equate to genuine peace or democratic stability in the region.

Mufti’s critique focuses on the disconnect between the government's portrayal of a peaceful, developing territory and the lived experience of the local population. She suggests that the current environment is characterized by restricted political activity and a lack of public discourse. While the Indian government maintains that its policies—including the 2019 reorganization of the state—have brought development and security, Mufti asserts that these measures have instead suppressed dissent and alienated the citizenry. The article serves as a call for a more substantive approach to governance that addresses the core political issues rather than relying on administrative control to project an image of order. As this is an opinion piece, it reflects Mufti’s personal political stance rather than a consensus view, and it does not include a direct response from government officials regarding her specific claims.