At ‘Statehood Now’ Meet, J&K MP Calls Article 370 a Promise Broken and a Hope Worth Restoring
We’re Only Asking What Was Promised: Aga Ruhulla Mehdi
Mehdi hails Congress’s clarity on J&K, urges other parties to support statehood demand
Speaking at the “Statehood Now” public meeting organised by the Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir at the Deputy Speaker’s Hall, Constitution Club of India, Mehdi said, “We didn’t sign up for immigration. We didn’t sign up for slavery or helplessness. We joined India on the promise of dignity, equality, and mutual respect not to watch our future decided by others while we are forced to the sidelines.”
According to KNS, he reflected on 1947 the moment when Jammu and Kashmir chose to stand with India, rejecting division and communal politics. That choice, he said, was built on trust and constitutional guarantees like Article 370. Today, he argued, that promise feels broken.
“Article 370 wasn’t just a clause it was a safeguard. A way to honour our diversity, protect our identity, and shape our own destiny within the larger Indian family.”
Drawing comparisons with federal systems around the world from the United States to Germany — Mehdi asked why decentralised governance is celebrated globally, but questioned when demanded by Kashmiris.
“When a Bengali defends their identity, it’s culture. When a Maratha does it, it’s pride. But when a Kashmiri speaks of the same, we’re labelled anti-national. Why?”
He warned that ignoring regional voices and imposing top-down decisions, such as the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, damages not just Kashmir but the spirit of India’s democracy itself.
“August 5 didn’t just remove autonomy it removed trust. It raised a question: who decides for us now? And what tools are left to defend our identity, our culture, our place in the Union?”
Urging the country to revisit the original spirit of unity, Mehdi said Article 370 should be seen not as a threat, but as a model for inclusive, respectful federalism a roadmap for strengthening India’s diverse democracy.
Member of Parliament Aga Ruhulla Mehdi on Wednesday expressed optimism over the increasing national support for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s democratic rights. Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) after attending the “Statehood Now” public meeting in New Delhi, he said the voices from Jammu and Kashmir are finally reaching beyond the region and that is a positive sign.
He said the value of civil society initiatives in raising awareness but insisted that such conversations must now find space in the country’s highest democratic forum. “This is not just about discussions in public meetings. Parliament must also be part of this process. MPs from across India need to understand what Jammu and Kashmir has gone through,” Mehdi stressed.
Appreciating the Congress Party’s role in advocating for democratic restoration in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehdi said its active involvement sends a strong message. “Congress’s stand is clear and encouraging. I hope other parties will also come forward with the same clarity,” he added.
Mehdi further said that restoring the region’s constitutional and political dignity is not a regional issue but a national concern. “The more people understand our story, the more this movement for justice will grow. We are not demanding anything new we are simply asking for what was promised,” he said.
