Srinagar: National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Parliament, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, responded to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's remark that he should have protested in the Parliament for J&K’s statehood, saying the primary struggle was for the restoration of special status under Article 370.
This follows after Abdullah, at his first press conference in Srinagar, responded to Ruhullah's protest alongside students outside his house over the reservation issue. Abdullah acknowledged that the protest reflected the democratic culture within the party but urged Ruhullah to similarly advocate for statehood restoration in the Parliament.
“The abrogation of Article 370 was a calculated act of humiliation and a deep wound deliberately inflicted upon us,” said the MP from the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.
“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 prioritising statehood to organise it,” he tweeted on X without naming his party's vice president, Omar Abdullah.
Ruhullah said that he would try to organise support from more than 100 parliamentarians over the issue. “I believe for them there is no better time than January to organise it when India's Constitution—the very document that enshrined our special status—was adopted,” he added.
There is a growing indication the ruling party is witnessing friction with many leaders not happy with Ruhullah for protesting outside the residence of Abdullah in Srinagar last month.
“At the same time, I ought to remind you that the abrogation of Article 370 was a calculated act of humiliation and a deep wound deliberately inflicted upon us. The subsequent demotion to a Union Territory was a further attempt to impress upon us the indignity of the abrogation.
“The abrogation was a political statement, a declaration that our sacrifices mean nothing and that our future is theirs to dictate. Given this betrayal, this calculated attempt to break our spirit and subjugate our will, I cannot, in good conscience, sidestep from the fight for our special status and settle for the hollow promise of mere statehood. Shouldn’t our voices first rise for our honour, our identity, and the autonomy we have long been denied?” The MP wrote on X.
Ruhullah further said, “I think they should, and I will keep raising mine, louder each time.”
Read More
- 'Aga Ruhullah Hurt His Own Stature': NC MLA Openly Criticises Party MP's Protest Against J&K Reservation Policy
- J&K Reservation Policy Row: NC MP Ruhullah, PDP MLA Waheed Parra Join Hands; Hold Protest Outside CM Omar Abdullah’s Residence
- NC MP Aga Ruhullah To Protest Against His Own Party's Govt Over J&K Reservation Policy
