Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday accused the BJP of creating a hostile environment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that Kashmiris face harassment and suspicion both within the region and in other parts of the country.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the National Conference leader said the situation had not normalised since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Instead, he alleged, Kashmir had become more polarised.
“BJP has polarized Kashmir instead of normalizing it, and this is what I have been saying since 2019,” Ruhullah said.
He cited verification procedures, restrictions on movement along highways and the detention of people without trial as examples of the difficulties faced by Kashmiris. Referring to a recent incident in Karnal, Haryana, he also expressed concern over the alleged harassment of Kashmiris outside Jammu and Kashmir.
“The responsibility for this hostility lies with the BJP,” he said.
Ruhullah Backs Protests Against Election Chief
Commenting on protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Ruhullah described the demonstrations as a genuine expression of public dissent.
He said the protests reflected efforts by students, activists and concerned citizens to reclaim democratic space after years of what he described as the suppression of democratic rights.
“Democracy is now starting to breathe,” he said, adding that democracy had faced suppression over the past 10 to 12 years.
Drawing parallels with Kashmir, Ruhullah referred to restrictions, the detention of activists and internet shutdowns during the recent protests in Delhi. He said people in Kashmir had experienced similar measures on a much larger scale, including an almost year-long shutdown of internet services following the abrogation of Article 370.
He called for criminal proceedings against Kumar if allegations of compromising electoral processes were established. He also demanded a review of elections conducted during Kumar’s tenure.
Questions NC Government’s Stand on Article 370
Reacting to National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s remarks on the abrogation of Article 370, Ruhullah said merely describing the decision as wrong was not enough.
“The decision of August 5 is wrong, everyone knows this,” he said, questioning what the party and the Jammu and Kashmir government were doing to reverse it through institutional, democratic and peaceful means.
Ruhullah’s remarks came as he criticised the performance of the Omar Abdullah-led government, which has completed two years in office.
“The people of Kashmir have been disappointed, unfortunately. They should not have been disappointed,” he said.
Cites Employment, Electricity and Reservation Concerns
Ruhullah questioned the government’s record on employment, electricity, reservation, constitutional guarantees, prisoners and the protection of local jobs.
He also referred to concerns raised by students and medical interns over reservation policies and stipend-related issues, asking what tangible progress the government had made in addressing public grievances.
“On which parameters will we say that the Government has done something on which we are satisfied?” he asked.
The MP said the government needed to address public concerns and provide clarity on constitutional guarantees and the restoration of statehood, adding that its response to these issues had contributed to growing disappointment among people in Jammu and Kashmir.
