On Monday, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti raised concerns about the weakening of democratic institutions in the country. She also supported Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's comments criticising the Election Commission of India.

Additionally, Mufti welcomed the filing of an FIR against Army personnel accused of assaulting a professor in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. "It is true that our institutions are being compromised. What Rahul Gandhi said that there was a huge increase in the number of voters between the parliamentary elections and Maharashtra assembly polls needs to be investigated," said Mufti while speaking to reporters.

She also mentioned that even the Supreme Court is facing criticism, pointing to the BJP's recent backlash against its rulings on governors and the Waqf issue. "The Supreme Court gave verdicts regarding the governors and Waqf, and the entire BJP attacked it. Even institutions like the Supreme Court are being undermined. The Election Commission consists of only a few individuals. What they do or don't do is concerning," she said.

Targeting the BJP, Mufti said, "When leaders like Nishikant Dubey and even the Vice-President openly make remarks on the Supreme Court, it shows that the government is undermining institutions to bring them under its control." She agreed that Gandhi's concerns are valid. 

While speaking to the Indian diaspora at an event in Boston, USA, on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said that India's Election Commission is not functioning independently. Pointing to the voter turnout numbers in the Maharashtra assembly election, he said he had raised this concern before and feels that "there is something very wrong with the system." The BJP reacted sharply to his statement, calling him a "traitor."

Talking about the recent unrest in West Bengal, Mufti said she had asked the Muslim community there to stay away from violent protests. "I appealed to them not to engage in any protest that could turn violent and give communal forces a chance to defame them," she said.

Mufti said that Muslims have been able to live safely in the country for the past 77 years because most people believe in secular values. However, he warned that the growing influence of communal forces is now threatening their safety. "You can see the condition of Muslims. Mosques and dargahs are being demolished," she said. The PDP chief also appreciated that a case (FIR) has been filed against the Army personnel who were accused of beating up a professor in Rajouri. "I am happy that an FIR has been lodged in the matter. Such incidents should not happen," she said.