 Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 2: National Conference Member Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said that restoration of Article 370 is more important than getting J&K’s statehood back.
Responding to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s suggestion that Ruhullah should stage a protest to seek restoration of J&K statehood outside the Parliament in New Delhi, Ruhullah said that his fight is for getting Article 370 back and not mere restoration of statehood.
Omar, while referring to a recent protest led by the MP outside his residence over reservation issues said, "It is good that MP Aga Ruhullah protested. I now hope he will lead a similar protest outside Parliament for the restoration of J&K’s statehood."
Responding to the Chief Minister’s assertion, MP Ruhullah, wrote on X: “After 2019, my political stance has been crystal clear. At one of my earliest public gatherings in Budgam and then at other gatherings throughout Kashmir and also in my interviews post-abrogation, I told my people that our fight must be for the restoration of 370 and the dignity it embodies for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
Ruhullah further wrote: “I’ve been informed about an urge and desire to protest for statehood in Delhi. I AM READY to participate in such a protest, and invite those prioritizing statehood to organize it. I will also try to organise support from at least more than 100 Hon’ble MPs. I believe for them there is no better time than January to organize it, when India's Constitution—the very document that enshrined our special status—was adopted.”
Terming abrogation of Article 370 as a “calculated act of humiliation,” Ruhullah wrot I am ready to participate in such a protest, and invite those prioritizing statehood to organize it.
I will also try to organise support from at least more than 100 Hon’ble MPs. I believe for them there is no better time than January to organize it.
It is good that MP Aga Ruhullah protested. I now hope he will lead a similar protest outside Parliament for the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
Earlier, protests were considered illegal. We respect democratic rights.
Pertinently, NC Parliamentarian, Aga Ruhullah last month sat on a protest against the reservation policy outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar.
Ruhullah was joined by the PDP leaders, Waheed Para, Iltija Mufti and leaders of a few other opposition parties.
National Conference MLA, Salman Sagar had reacted sharply to Ruhullah’s protest and had accused him of “sitting with the enemies” of the NC.
Soon after Ruhullah’s protest, most of the NC MLAs from Srinagar district had skipped the DISHA meeting chaired by the Member Parliament.
However, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Thursday acknowledged that the MP's protest was conducted under the democratic framework upheld by his government. "Earlier, protests were considered illegal. We respect democratic rights," Omar told reporters. |
