People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi unfurled the national flag here under 'different circumstances' when Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a military garrison and assurances given by the Constitution demolished by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

She said former prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru first unfurling the tricolour in Kashmir in 1948 amongst a sea of people was a momentous occasion marked by celebrations.

'Today history stands witness as RG (Rahul Gandhi) unfurled the same flag albeit under completely different circumstances at a time when J and K has been turned into a military garrison.

'Assurances given by Indian Constitution have been demolished by BJP and is a complete betrayal,' Mehbooba said in a series of tweets.

'In 1948 when PM Nehru first unfurled tiranga in Kashmir amongst a sea of people, it was a momentous occasion marked by celebrations.

'People of J and K had successfully fought off invaders by pushing them back and thus began a new relationship with India based on mutual trust and respect,' she said.

The former chief minister said Nehru's efforts ensured a Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India.

'He assured Kashmiris and allayed concerns about preserving their identity not only in terms of religion but also culturally within India.

'This was achieved through constitutional safeguards guaranteed by Article 370,' she said.

Despite these facts, the BJP claims to have resolved the Kashmir issue by the 'unconstitutional abrogation of Article 370', Mehbooba said.

'Not only have they failed to address the issue but also gifted 2000 sq km of our territory to China,' she said.  -- PTI