A heated debate unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Monday when Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi launched a sharp attack on the government led by Narendra Modi, accusing it of ignoring rising “right-wing extremism” while focusing only on left-wing threats.
Speaking during a discussion on efforts to eliminate left-wing extremism, the National Conference MP said the government’s approach was selective and politically driven.
“You don’t want to free India from right-wing extremism, you want to consign India to right-wing extremism,” Mehdi said bluntly in the House.
‘Extremism should be addressed in all forms’
The Srinagar MP questioned why extremism is often linked only to certain groups. “Is extremism only connected with left-wing or Muslims?” he asked.
“We want this country to be free of extremism—whether it is in the name of Muslims or in the name of Hindutva. We want peace, justice, rule of law and normalcy. That is a shared dream, but why is there bias in your approach? Why is it agenda-driven?” he said.
Mehdi further alleged that selective focus on certain types of extremism benefits political interests. “As statistics show, one kind of extremism helps your political shop to prosper,” he remarked.
Links extremism to injustice, recalls personal loss
Highlighting the root causes of extremism, Mehdi said injustice in society often fuels such violence. He also spoke about his personal experience, recalling the killing of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, who was assassinated in a blast in 2000.
“My father was killed due to one form of extremism. We will fight that extremism. But the injustice in society has to end,” he said.
Raises issue of targeting Muslims and minorities
The MP also questioned why what he described as “institutionalised extremism” against Muslims and minorities is not debated in Parliament.
“When will institutionalised extremism against Muslims and minorities be discussed?” he asked.
He alleged that Muslims are often portrayed as outsiders. “We are told we are from outside, from Pakistan. There are calls for our economic boycott. Even a chief minister has said such things,” he said.
Mehdi also pointed to rising incidents of vigilantism. “We are told we will change demography. Vigilantism has increased in the name of cow protection and ‘love jihad’. Victims are then harassed institutionally,” he added.
Demands debate on ‘Hindutva extremism’
Concluding his speech, Mehdi urged Parliament to address what he termed “Hindutva extremism” with the same seriousness as other forms of extremism.
“When will Hindutva extremism be discussed?” he asked, calling for an inclusive and unbiased approach to tackling all forms of violence and hate.
