Our fight is for pre-2019 constitutional guarantees, not just Statehood: NC MP Aga Ruhullah
Arshad Farooq
Srinagar, June 28 (KINS): National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah on Saturday reaffirmed that his party’s political struggle is not confined to the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but is fundamentally aimed at reclaiming the constitutional guarantees that existed before the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Ruhullah as per news agency KINS said, “My party can go to court, but let me be clear — our fight is not merely for statehood. It is for something greater: the constitutional safeguards that were taken away from us in 2019.”
His remarks came in response to recent statements by NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who indicated that the party may approach the Supreme Court if the Centre continues to delay the restoration of statehood.
Ruhullah emphasized that the NC’s core demand is the reversal of the decisions made on August 5, 2019, when the Central government revoked Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — “The BJP has mentioned in both its manifesto and Parliament that statehood will be restored. Even its allies in J&K claim they are fighting for it. But let me reiterate — our fight is not for statehood alone,” he asserted.
When questioned about the growing speculation that a bill for statehood restoration might be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, Ruhullah replied, “I don’t engage with rumours. If a bill is presented, I will comment on it then.”
Commenting on the pending report of the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet’s subcommittee on the reservation issue, Ruhullah expressed concern over the delay and its impact on students.
“I, like the students, am waiting for the Law Department to return the report. I had hoped it would happen this week. The longer the delay, the more students suffer. The quicker it is returned and implemented, the better,” he added.(KINS)
