NC To Back MP Engineer Rashid’s J&K Statehood Resolution; No Decision From Congress 

The ruling National Conference (NC) will support the resolution of Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) leader and jailed MP, Sheikh Abdul Rashid also known as Engineer Rashid, on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, while the Congress will take a decision based on its contents.

AIP said that the party president and Baramulla MP, Engineer Rashid, will bring a resolution in the upcoming Parliament session for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The monsoon session of Parliament will begin on July 21.

National Conference MP, Mian Altaf, said that  he would support the resolution in the Parliament, but Congress has said that it will study the contents before taking a decision.

Engineer Rashid remains in prison for promoting separatist activities, but he has denied charges against him, saying he has been framed. “Yes, we will support the resolution,” said former Minister and NC MP, Altaf.

Congress chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, however said that “ party will take a final view on the issue and arrive at a decision after going through the contents of the resolution.”

Engineer Rashid has spoken against the revocation of Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Congress party has not maintained a clear stand on the demand for restoration of Article 370. 

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, and party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring legislation in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament to grant full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and include the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said, “Despite being unjustly jailed, Er Rashid has not allowed the chains of incarceration to silence the voice of his people. He will continue to use every democratic platform available to uphold the aspirations and sentiments of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Inam added that the demand for statehood is not a favour but a constitutional right that was unilaterally taken away in 2019. “It is time Parliament corrects this historic wrong. Er Rashid’s resolution is a reflection of people’s yearning for dignity, democratic rights and self-respect,” he said.

“Er Rashid’s presence in Parliament is not merely symbolic but a continuation of his decades-long struggle for justice and representation. His decision to move this resolution, even from behind bars, shows that neither walls nor injustice can suppress the democratic spirit that he embodies,” Inam said.

AIP also urged “all political parties, especially those claiming to represent Jammu and Kashmir, to support the resolution and stand for constitutional guarantees and the restoration of democratic institutions in the region.”

There has been unanimity across the political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir on the restoration of statehood.

Congress which supports NC in the coalition government has said that it wil join the Council of Ministers only after the restoration of statehood.

The party is also planning a series of protests in support of the demand. The party said that it will lead a peaceful procession to reiterate the demand for restoration of restoration of statehood to J&K tomorrow in Srinagar. 

According to the party, the procession will march towards the office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir from the MA Road party office and the leaders will submit a memorandum to Divisional Commissioner for “onward submission to the Prime Minister.”

Congress chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, also said that party will take out a march in Delhi and several leaders from Jammu and Kashmir are also travelling to the national capital to take part in the procession ahead of the Parliament session for restoration of statehood.