New Delhi, July 23 -- 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.

Mehdi said the presence of leaders and activists from different parts of India in the New Delhi event reflected a growing sense of solidarity. "When people outside Jammu and Kashmir begin to speak about our rights and reality, it becomes a moment of importance for us. These alliances matter," he said.

He said the value of civil society in...