Aga Ruhullah to join NC’s Delhi protest, seeks Restoration of Article 370 alongside Statehood

Pulwama, Jun 9: National Conference leader and Srinagar Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday said he would participate in his party’s proposed protest in New Delhi and advocate for the restoration of both Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters in Pulwama, Ruhullah said the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar should not remain confined to a one-day demonstration but evolve into a sustained political movement aimed at restoring the constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I will go there to talk about the restoration of Article 370 and statehood,” he said.

The National Conference recently announced at its legislators’ meeting in Dachigam that party lawmakers would stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Ruhullah said the party’s struggle should go beyond the demand for statehood and include the restoration of Article 370 and other constitutional safeguards that existed before August 5, 2019.

“It should not be limited to the restoration of statehood alone, but should also seek the restoration of Article 370,” he said, adding that the people had given the National Conference a mandate to fight for the restoration of the constitutional and political rights that were altered after the abrogation of Article 370.

Commenting on the broader political situation, Ruhullah said lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir could only be achieved through justice.

He said several issues, including unemployment, reservation policies and land-related concerns, continue to generate public discontent and require urgent attention.

Referring to farmers in Pulwama, he alleged that they had been prevented from cultivating their land, describing it as an example of the injustices that must be addressed.

“Unless such injustices are addressed, there cannot be permanent peace,” he said.

The Srinagar MP also said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should focus on implementing the political commitments made to the people.

“Nearly two years have passed. We have yet to work on the constitutional and administrative issues,” Ruhullah said, stressing the need for greater attention to the promises made by the party regarding the restoration of rights and governance-related concerns.

On international developments, Ruhullah expressed concern over the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel, alleging that the Zionist regime was not interested in peace in the region.

He said hopes for de-escalation had emerged following diplomatic efforts and negotiations, but claimed that subsequent military actions had undermined those prospects.

“A hope for peace had emerged after the negotiations, but then they carried out a bloodbath in Lebanon,” he said.

Ruhullah expressed hope that the conflict would end soon and that lasting peace would prevail in the region.