Mehdi Urges Omar Abdullah to Lead Fight for Article 370 and Statehood Restoration

Agha Ruhullah Mehdi urges Omar Abdullah to lead the fight for IIOJK’s rights, warning against complacency with Delhi’s agenda.

National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Indian Parliament Agha Ruhullah Mehdi has reaffirmed that the restoration of Article 370 and statehood remains at the heart of the aspirations of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In a candid media interview in Srinagar, Mehdi urged NC vice-president Omar Abdullah to take a leading role in the movement to restore these crucial constitutional provisions, stressing that failure to do so could diminish the party’s credibility and alienate its base.

Mehdi emphasized that the NC’s recent electoral success was a clear statement from the people against the abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government in 2019. “The mandate given to the NC is more than just political—it is a resounding rejection of the unconstitutional actions taken by the Indian government on August 5, 2019,” Mehdi said. He added that the restoration of Article 370 and the re-establishment of statehood were central to the hopes and demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehdi further urged Omar Abdullah to lead the charge in this critical struggle. “Omar Abdullah must take the helm for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood, or he risks being seen as a proxy for Delhi,” Mehdi warned.

The NC leader did not hold back in criticizing the BJP’s governance model in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which he claimed disempowers elected representatives. He pointed to the growing influence of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), whose authority, he argued, undermines the powers of a democratically elected government. Mehdi asserted that even if Omar Abdullah were to become Chief Minister, the current structure, with the LG holding overriding authority, would limit any genuine democratic functioning.

“Even if Omar Abdullah becomes Chief Minister, the BJP has ensured that the LG’s role undermines the authority of an elected government. This creates a parallel governance structure that erodes democratic accountability,” Mehdi explained.

The NC leader also criticized the prolonged delay in restoring statehood, calling it a clear signal of New Delhi’s disregard for the democratic voice of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “The delay in restoring statehood is a betrayal—not just of the Indian Supreme Court but also of the people of Kashmir. It reflects the BJP’s lack of intent to genuinely address the territory’s grievances.”

Mehdi’s comments highlight the growing frustration with the BJP’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir, and the increasing sense of alienation within the region. He warned that continued neglect of the region’s aspirations could have severe consequences for the political relationship between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian state.

In his concluding remarks, Mehdi called for unwavering leadership from the NC in the fight for Article 370 and statehood, stressing that any failure to stand firm on these issues would lead to the party being seen as complicit in New Delhi’s agenda. He urged Omar Abdullah to stay resolute, warning that any compromise on the region’s core demands could further alienate the people and deepen mistrust in the Indian government.

“The NC must fight relentlessly for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood,” Mehdi concluded, urging his party to fulfill the mandate of the people and honor their aspirations.