Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): In a bold intervention during the ongoing parliamentary session, National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah called for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full autonomy, including the return of its pre-1953 status, while voicing concern over the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s failure to address the issues faced by Muslims in his speech.
Responding to the President’s address, Ruhullah criticized Gandhi for speaking at length about the aspirations of various communities, including backward classes and OBCs, but failing to mention the plight of Muslims, particularly in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. “The Leader of Opposition spoke about his vision for artificial intelligence and included various communities, but he conveniently ignored the issues of Muslims. Are Muslims only meant to be frightened for votes by the BJP?” Ruhullah said. “Muslims are not afraid of anyone, and it is high time their concerns are acknowledged.”
Ruhullah reiterated that merely restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would not suffice for true justice. “The restoration of statehood is not enough. We need to go beyond the symbolic restoration of Article 370. The pre-1953 position of Jammu and Kashmir, which guaranteed autonomy to the region, must be reinstated,” he asserted. He emphasized that real justice for the region would only come when it regains its full constitutional autonomy, as it existed before the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
In his speech, Ruhullah also took a strong stance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for misleading the nation regarding the abrogation of Article 370. He pointed out that elections had been held in Jammu and Kashmir even when Article 370 was in force, challenging the narrative that its removal was necessary for democratic processes. “Elections were always held before, but Article 370 was removed through an illegitimate process. The BJP has misled the public into believing that its abrogation was essential,” he said, emphasizing that the removal of the article has had negative consequences for the region.
Ruhullah backed his claims with statistical evidence, highlighting the positive indicators Jammu and Kashmir achieved under the provisions of Article 370. He pointed out that when Article 370 was in force, Jammu and Kashmir was ranked sixth in the Human Development Index (HDI) with a score of 0.712, surpassing several BJP-ruled states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
He also emphasized that the region had a higher life expectancy rate (73.5 years) compared to Gujarat (68 years) and a significantly better gross enrollment ratio in higher education (30.9%) compared to states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. According to Ruhullah, these indicators showcased the benefits of Article 370 for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, contradicting the BJP’s narrative that the provision hindered progress.
Ruhullah’s statement in Parliament adds further momentum to the ongoing calls for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy, with many local leaders, parties, and citizens echoing similar sentiments. His remarks also reflect the growing frustration over the political situation in the region and the continued struggles faced by its people post-Article 370 revocation.(DD)