Srinagar, Sept 11: National Conference Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has publicly questioned his party’s approach to several politically sensitive issues, accusing it of “abandoning the fight” and warning against what he described as the normalisation of the BJP-RSS agenda.
In a post on X, Ruhullah recalled his opposition to the changes introduced on August 5, 2019, saying that after fighting against what he termed “undemocratic changes” imposed by the BJP and RSS, he “looked behind” and found that his party had abandoned the fight.
He said a similar situation arose over the Waqf amendment, claiming that he again found his party unwilling to take a strong position.
“I fought against the Waqf amendment bill, again I looked behind me and saw that my party has abandoned the fight,” he said.
Ruhullah further questioned why the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature could not bring a resolution against the legislation, pointing out that Punjab and some states in southern India had done so.
The NC leader also raised the issue of the inclusion or imposition of stanzas from Vande Mataram, arguing that such imposition was unconstitutional. He said he was particularly disappointed that his party had, in his view, not only abandoned the issue but had instead “fallen in line” with the BJP and RSS.
“At a time when minorities are being pushed to the wall, let’s not normalise the communal onslaught of the RSS and BJP,” Ruhullah said, calling for greater political resistance to what he described as an assault on minority concerns.
He argued that if political forces did not stand up for the legitimate concerns of minorities across the country, there would be little political space left to defend them.
Ruhullah also invoked Jammu and Kashmir’s demographic and political character, saying the region’s status as the largest Muslim-majority area in the Union of India should make it particularly sensitive to the religious beliefs and concerns of minorities.
“Jammu & Kashmir has a historical opportunity to stand for what is right. Let’s not squander that chance,” he said.
Ruhullah concluded by calling for political courage and sensitivity amid what he described as difficult circumstances.
“These are hard times. They call for statesmanship, sensitivity and courage — not another compromise,” he said.
