In a fiery social media outburst, Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has directly confronted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over alleged mistreatment of Kashmiri Muslim students at a Punjab university. The controversy erupted from a viral video claiming that students at CT University were ordered to vacate the campus and threatened with admission cancellation simply for requesting meals during Sehri and Iftar amid Ramadan.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Iltija tagged Mann and questioned: ‘Bhagwant Mann, do you endorse the Vice Chancellor’s abuse of Kashmiri Muslim students just because they asked for food during Sehri and Iftar in Ramadan?’ She expressed shock that such attacks on Kashmiris have become normalized even in progressive Punjab, demanding strict action against the university head. Anything less, she warned, would be mere pretense.
The post also tagged Punjab Police and its DGP, amplifying calls for accountability. This incident underscores ongoing sensitivities around religious accommodations for Muslim students in Indian educational institutions, particularly those from conflict-hit regions like Kashmir.
Iltija’s activism isn’t new. In December 2023, she filed a case against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar over a controversial video appearing to show him removing a Muslim woman’s hijab, accusing him of insulting women’s dignity. Despite contesting the 2024 J&K assembly elections from PDP’s stronghold Gufwara-Bijbehara in Anantnag—where she faced defeat—she remains a vocal advocate for Kashmiri rights, human rights, youth empowerment, and regional autonomy.
As political tempers flare, this episode highlights deepening divides over minority treatment in India’s federal landscape. Punjab authorities are yet to respond, but the uproar demands swift resolution to prevent further escalation.