SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Umar Farooq has urged political leaders, including Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, to work towards protecting the identity and rights of Jammu and Kashmir amid differences within the National Conference.
Commenting on the ongoing political dispute in the NC, Mirwaiz said the issues for which the party had sought a mandate from the people were not evident on the ground. He also said the party had, unfortunately, not done enough to defend the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
His remarks came amid a public disagreement between Ruhullah and the NC leadership over the party’s position on key issues concerning JK, including the restoration of Article 370.
Ruhullah on Friday announced his intention to resign from the Lok Sabha and the National Conference after NC president Farooq Abdullah publicly challenged him to give up his parliamentary and party positions over his differences with the leadership.
Mirwaiz said political attention should remain centred on the broader interests of Jammu and Kashmir rather than internal differences, calling for collective efforts to restore the region’s identity and rights.
The comments came as dissent within the NC has intensified, with Ruhullah repeatedly questioning the party’s position on Article 370 and its commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
