Srinagar, Sept 29: National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar Ruhulla Mehdi today said that the disempowerment of Ladakh following the abrogation of Article 370 has now made even those realize who once supported the division of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir that the move was not in anyone’s interest.
Speaking to media at Chrar-e-Sharief in Budgam district, the MP said Ladakh’s status was lowered when J&K was bifurcated in 2019 and decisions continued to be taken in New Delhi without consulting the people of the region.
“Those who were happy with the division and disempowerment at that time have now realized that this disempowerment is not in anyone’s interest,” he said.
“Now, some people who spoke in favour of BJP, for 4-5 years, today have been booked NSA,” MP said.
The NC leader alleged that the BJP’s governance model functions only as long as people endorse its policies, claiming that the party prioritizes its own interests over the nations.
“Anyone — even if he is a Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim — who speaks peacefully or democratically against BJP’s policies is branded as an enemy of the country and booked under PSA, UAPA, or NSA. This reality of Kashmir is now coming to Ladakh and to Jammu as well,” he remarked.
Extending support to Ladakh’s ongoing demands, he said: “We are with those in Ladakh who are demanding empowerment, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, or restoration of pre-2019 status along with J&K. If that is their demand, we stand with them.”
On political responsibility, the Srinagar MP, who has been openly critical of his party over issues such as the restoration of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and reservation policy changes in the union Territory, reaffirmed his commitment to safeguard the constitutional guarantees and protections of J&K.
“People have given me the responsibility to fight for Article 370, for our rights, for our state. One of the biggest political responsibilities given to us was also that we keep the BJP away. It is both our moral and political duty to act on it,” he said.
