MP Ruhullah writes to Farooq Abdullah, questions party’s stand on Article 370

GK WEB DESK

Srinagar, Aug 28: Srinagar MP and JKNC leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday wrote a letter to party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and questioned party’s leadership position on the restoration of Article 370, which was taken away by New Delhi on August 05, 2019. He said the demand for restoration of constitutional guarantees cannot be abandoned merely in favour of statehood.

In a letter dated August 28, 2026, addressed to the party president, Mehdi referred to remarks made during a press statement on August 25 in which the leadership had questioned how long people would “be a slave” and urged them to stand on their feet.

Mehdi said those remarks resonated with the frustration felt by many in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly over the perception that the region’s demands were being pursued from a position of supplication before the BJP-led government at the Centre.

However, he questioned why the same political position was being criticised when he raised similar issues.

“I refuse to believe that your statement is merely ‘hollow posturing’ for ‘public consumption’, while your politics reflects something entirely different,” Mehdi said in the letter, adding that such a situation would be personally disappointing to him.

Questions “begging” remark on Article 370

Referring to the statement that “you want 370, but you beg from Delhi,” Mehdi argued that the demand for Article 370 restoration was not an unreasonable political position.

He pointed out that restoration of Article 370 had also featured in the BJP’s 2024 Assembly election manifesto, while the Supreme Court had recognised the constitutional history surrounding the provision.

According to Mehdi, the JKNC’s position should therefore not be treated as fundamentally different from the position it had itself taken earlier.

He further argued that accepting statehood as the outer limit of Jammu and Kashmir’s political aspirations could amount to legitimising and normalising what he described as the constitutional changes made in August 2019.

Mehdi said the party had come to power with commitments relating to the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, but was now increasingly presenting statehood as the principal political objective.

He referred to the argument that “the very regime which abrogated Article 370 will never restore it,” and questioned whether such an argument was sufficient justification for abandoning the larger demand.

He said the issue was not simply about political positioning but concerned the dignity, constitutional guarantees and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehdi also raised broader concerns over employment opportunities, land, natural resources, religious rights, traditions, language and environmental protection.

He noted that a large proportion of Jammu and Kashmir’s population is young and said uncertainty over employment and opportunities was becoming a major concern.

“Our job as elected representatives is to fight this constant degradation and dehumanisation — and not to adjust our aspirations to what the BJP is willing to concede,” Mehdi said.

The Srinagar MP said elected representatives had a responsibility to ensure that the political and constitutional changes of August 2019 did not become accepted as the “new political normal.”

He also argued that restoration of statehood should not be presented as an adequate substitute for the constitutional provisions and protections that were altered in 2019.

Mehdi stressed the need to continue seeking constitutional guarantees for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including protections concerning their land, resources, culture and traditions.

He questioned how his position on these matters could be considered objectionable, particularly within the JKNC.

In another pointed reference, Mehdi reminded the party leadership that it had previously served as Chief Minister when the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed the Autonomy Resolution.

He questioned why raising the issue of constitutional guarantees had now become so controversial.

“What has changed — the aspirations of our people, or the JKNC’s willingness to stand up for them?” he asked.

Mehdi said he was raising these questions not out of disrespect but because he remembered the party leadership’s earlier political position and its role in seeking greater constitutional autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir.

The Srinagar MP said there were “many more questions” that could be raised but that, for the time being, he would await a response from the party leadership.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir also had a right to know what the JKNC truly stood for on the question of constitutional guarantees and the political future of the region.

Mehdi further stated that his resignation from the party would come and that he would have resigned even without being asked to do so, but insisted that accountability must precede his departure.

The letter also addressed what Mehdi described as a “disrespectful attack” made against him while demanding his resignation, indicating that the disagreement had developed beyond a policy dispute into a wider political confrontation within the party.

The letter highlights growing differences over whether the restoration of statehood should remain the principal immediate objective of Jammu and Kashmir’s political leadership or whether demands for the restoration of Article 370 and broader constitutional safeguards should continue to remain central to the JKNC’s political agenda.

Srinagar, Aug 28: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said that “the abrogation of article 370 inflicted a deep wound into the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He said that “Congress and BJP are equally responsible because Congress had already hollowed this article out over the years while BJP revoked it completely.”

He made these remarks today while addressing a public convention in Tral today. The event, organised by the party, attracted a large gathering of local people, besides party workers from across the town.

Apni Party leader further said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had a deep emotional attachment to Article 370, despite the fact that its provisions had already hollowed out and eroded over the decades.

“Article 370 provided constitutional protection to our land and jobs, and that is why, following its abrogation along with Article 35A on August 5, 2019, the Apni Party pursued the matter with the Centre and ensured that the people of J&K must retain exclusive rights over land and employment in J&K.

“We succeeded in convincing the Centre and protected these rights, resulting in the introduction of the domicile law,” he said.

However, Bukhari said that there is a need for a dialogue between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their issues.

He said, “There is an urgent need to make New Delhi understand the importance of initiating a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the youth, to address their genuine issues and concerns. This is imperative to bridge the existing trust deficit.”

“Since the elected government has failed to address the pressing issues being faced by the people here, we will urge the Centre to engage directly with them to ensure that these issues are addressed effectively. We hope that our frequent appeals in this regard reach the Centre and that it initiates a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as it had promised,” he added.

He also take a dig at the ruling NC and said that this party has always prioritised its power on the interests of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

He further said, “NC has never fulfilled the promises it has made to the people. Its poll promises are the most recent example of this. It sought votes by promising to provide one lakh jobs soon after assuming power. It had also promised 200 units of free electricity, free gas cylinders, the regularisation of daily wagers, and much more. However, all these promises have proved to be hollow and remain unfulfilled.”

He urged the people to rid themselves of these traditional parties, which have always misled and deceived them with false promises and emotional slogans.

He went on the say, “During its election campaign, the NC had claimed that, after assuming power, it would ensure the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. However, it has now reduced its demand to the restoration of statehood alone. This is nothing but political drama, and they have always resorted to such tactics.”

In his speech, Bukhari also highlighted the local pressing issues that the people in Tral are facing.

He expressed grave concern over the lack of adequate facilities and infrastructure at local hospitals and schools.

He said, “I don’t know what the local MLA, who has been given the mandate to ensure that such issues are addressed, is doing. Since he is a public representative, he must ensure that these issues are properly addressed. He should speak to the concerned Minister, and if that doesn’t work, he must take the people who voted for him out in protest. This is not about anything personal; it is about the public mandate.”

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that “Tral has great potential for tourism, which, if properly explored and developed, can bring economic benefits to the local people and create much-needed employment opportunities for the youth.”

He said the area is blessed with abundant natural resources and scenic beauty, which should be utilised effectively for sustainable development, livelihood generation, and the overall prosperity of the local population.

Bukhari expressed concern over the arrests of youth and said that the Apni Party is continuously striving to ensure that random arrests are stopped and that those detained are released so that they can return to a normal life.

Talking about the Sikh community, Bukhari demanded political reservation for the community to ensure that its rights are fully protected. He said that the Sikh community has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim community, even during the most challenging times of violence and bloodshed in J&K.

Addressing the gathering, former Cabinet Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir said that “Apni Party is a party of the masses and will always remain the voice of the people.”

He said this party will continue to raise genuine public issues and grievances with the concerned authorities to ensure their timely redressal.

He said, ““We are not here today to seek your votes, as there are no elections scheduled in the near future. We are here to tell you that Apni Party is truly a people’s party and will always stand by the people, no matter what. We need your support. Join hands with Apni Party and help strengthen it. Together, we can ensure that the rights and interests of our people are protected, while working collectively for sustained peace, prosperity, and development in Jammu and Kashmir.”

He further said, “The difference between Apni Party and the traditional political parties is that Apni Party focuses on genuine public issues and works to address the concerns of the people, while traditional parties continue to mislead and befool the public with false promises and emotional slogans.”

“Apni Party is here to prevent exploitative political forces from misleading our youth and pushing them towards a path of jails and graveyards. We envision a peaceful, prosperous, and dignified future for our youth—one where they have opportunities to grow, succeed, and contribute positively to the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

On this occasion, NC worker Karan Singh, PDP worker Mohammad Amin, Social Activist Muzafar Bhat, Mohammad Younis Dar from congress joined Apni Party. The party leaders greeted these new entrants into the party fold.

Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Ghulam Hassan Mir, the prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included party’s Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, State organisation & Spokesperson Dr Harbaksh Singh, District President  Budgam Advocate Owais Ashraf Shah,  District Vice President Pulwama Sofi Akbar, District Vice President Pulwama Abdul Qayoom Mir, Secretary Pulwama District Syeed Tajala Andrabi, Youth President District Pulwama Junaid Mir, Abdul Rahman Gojir, Ghulam Hassan Goursi, Ghulam Hassan Choupan, Abdul Majid, Rashid Gojir, Youth Leaders Huq Nawaz, Zahid Bhat, Sajad Naikoo, Bita, Imtiyaz Mulvi, Irfan, Junaid, Javeed,Amir Reshi, Asif, Nirmal Singh, Abdul Rashid, Lucky Singh, Mohammad Shafi, Gul Dar, Shabir Baba, Yusuf Gojir, Mushtaq , Nund Kak, Bashir Ahamed , Jangi Singh, and others.

Srinagar, Aug 28: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar on Friday assured people that the Kashmir Zonal Police is “always there” for their safety and security, while saying anti-terror operations remain the force’s top priority.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Hazratbal in Srinagar, IGP Sujit Kumar said the police is focused on ensuring smooth and peaceful congregational prayers amid large gatherings on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).

“I congratulate everyone and want to assure the people that the Zonal Police is always there for you,” Kumar said.

He sought public cooperation in maintaining peace and law and order, while acknowledging that security arrangements could sometimes cause inconvenience to commuters.

“Many people are offering prayers today, so we seek your cooperation. We understand movement is difficult for the public,” he said.

On the recent increase in counter-terror operations in Kashmir, he said operations had been the force’s priority in the past and would continue to remain so.

“Our operations were the first priority in the past and they remain the first priority today as well,” he said.

Sujit Kumar, who took charge as IGP Kashmir on Thursday evening, was on his maiden ground visit to Srinagar after assuming office. During the visit, he reviewed security arrangements and coordination between the police and other security agencies at locations witnessing large congregations.—(KNO)

Srinagar, Aug 28: An unidentified woman was found dead in the River Jhelum near Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar on Friday, officials said.

An official said that the woman was found in the river near Nawa Kadal and was retrieved by locals.

He said she was soon shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead on arrival.

The official said the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained immediately, while further proceedings have been taken up.—(KNO)

Baramulla, Aug 28: Two hand grenades were recovered from a man during a naka checking operation at Wussan Bangil in Kunzer area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said.

The checking was being conducted by a joint party comprising personnel from Police Station Kunzer, SOG Kunzer, CRPF 176 Battalion and Army’s 2 Rashtriya Rifles.

During the checking of vehicles and pedestrians, a man allegedly attempted to flee after noticing the security personnel. He was, however, apprehended at the spot.

The man was identified as Shakir Nabi Lone, a resident of Hardu Aboora, Kunzer.

Two hand grenades were allegedly recovered from his possession during a personal search.

Following the recovery, FIR No. 115/2026 has been registered at Police Station Kunzer under relevant provisions of law.

Further investigation into the case is underway. [KNT]