Wullar War: Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti clash over Indus Treaty tweets

Ziraat Times Team Report

Srinagar: The idea of revival of the controversial Wullar Barrage or the Tulbul Navigation Project has sparked an intense political confrontation in Jammu & Kashmir, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti exchanging sharp public rebukes over the sensitive issue of water rights and regional stability.

The row began after Omar Abdullah advocated for reviving the Tulbul Project on the Jhelum River, citing the need to correct what he called a “historic injustice” against the people of Jammu & Kashmir, who he argued had been denied their right to utilize their own water resources under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), responded by calling the timing of the proposal “deeply unfortunate,” especially amid recent escalations between India and Pakistan. She warned that such a move could “weaponize water,” risk “internationalizing a bilateral matter,” and aggravate the already fragile peace in the region. “Our people deserve peace as much as anyone else in the country,” she wrote in a widely circulated social media post.

In a fiery reply, Omar Abdullah accused Mufti of making “cheap publicity” attempts and ignoring what he called the IWT’s betrayal of Kashmir’s interests. “I have always opposed this treaty & I will continue to do so,” he said, emphasizing that his stance was not about warmongering, but about empowering Kashmiris.

The exchange then took a personal and historic turn. Omar further retorted:
“Is that really the best you can do? Taking cheap shots at a person you yourself have called Kashmir’s tallest leader. I’ll rise above the gutter you want to take this conversation to… You keep advocating the interests of anyone you want to & I’ll keep advocating for the interests of the people of J&K to use our own rivers for our own benefit. I’m not going to stop the water, just use more of it for ourselves.”

He concluded with a parting jab: “Now I think I’ll do some real work & you can keep posting.”

Mehbooba shot back by invoking Kashmir’s political history and accusing the National Conference of shifting loyalties for political gain.
“Time will reveal who seeks to appease whom. However, it’s worth recalling that your esteemed grandfather Sheikh Sahab once advocated for accession to Pakistan for over two decades after losing power. But post being reinstated as Chief Minister he suddenly reversed his stance by aligning with India.”
She contrasted this with her own party’s consistent position:
“In contrast, the PDP has consistently upheld its convictions and commitments—unlike your party whose loyalties have shifted dramatically according to political expediency.”

The clash has sparked deep interest in Kashmir and has provided a deeper insight into the rivalries between J&K’s two major political families. While Abdullah frames the Tulbul Project as a matter of economic and political empowerment, Mufti views it as a potentially destabilizing provocation at a time when Kashmir remains on edge.