NC Minister Vows to Restore J&K's Pre-1953 Status, Constitutional Position

Mir Saifullah, who recently took oath as a minister in the J&K administration, outlined the National Conference's agenda to reverse the constitutional changes imposed on the region over the past five years. Speaking about the party's electoral commitments, Saifullah asserted that restoring J&K's pre-1953 constitutional position remains a priority for the incoming government.

The minister specifically referenced the August 5, 2019 decision, when the central government revoked Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Saifullah characterized this move as a "brazen" action that fundamentally altered the region's administrative and constitutional status.

Among the National Conference's stated objectives is the restoration of J&K's distinctive symbols, including the state flag, which held constitutional significance under the pre-1953 framework. The party has made these restoration efforts a cornerstone of its political platform and governance agenda.

The NC-led government, which recently formed following electoral victories, faces the challenge of translating campaign promises into policy action regarding J&K's constitutional status. These commitments reflect ongoing political debates about autonomy, statehood, and the region's historical constitutional arrangements with the Indian Union.