BJP can go to any extent to disempower Kashmiris: Agha Ruhullah
‘Statehood restoration a distant dream under Modi rule’
Srinagar: Senior leader of the National Conference and Member of Indian Parliament from Srinagar, Agha Ruhullah Mehdi, has strongly criticized the BJP-led government for its efforts to systematically disempower Kashmiris, stating that New Delhi has no intention of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood anytime soon.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in an interview with an Indian television channel at his residence in Budgam, Agha Ruhullah said that the Modi-led Indian government can go to any extent to disempower the Kashmiris. He said that democratic institutions were facing serious erosion under the current BJP regime.
The NC leader highlighted the amended Waqf Law as a key component of the broader BJP-RSS agenda to weaken and disempower Muslims. He asserted that the BJP is actively working to marginalize Muslims, not only in occupied Jammu and Kashmir but across India. “The restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood seems distant,” he remarked, underlining that the BJP’s real aim is to keep Kashmiris disenfranchised. He called for a determined struggle, not just for the return of statehood but for the restoration of all rights stripped away from the people of IIOJK.
Agha Ruhullah condemned the amended Waqf Law as a direct violation of religious freedom, viewing it as part of a larger campaign to turn Muslims into second-class citizens. He noted that no similar laws have been enacted for Hindu temples or charitable trusts, and this discriminatory approach is solely targeting Muslims. He stated that the Kashmir Assembly should have raised a strong voice against the Waqf Amendment Act and passed a resolution, but he was surprised that such an opportunity was not allowed.
He also voiced concerns about his own party, the National Conference, distancing itself from the mandate of the people. “Things are heading in the wrong direction, and we need to correct our course,” Agha Ruhullah stated, stressing that both the government and the party are drifting away from the sentiments and mandate of the people. He further revealed that, aside from exchanging Eid greetings, he has had no significant communication with party leader Omar Abdullah for quite some time. Despite Omar Abdullah’s attempts to improve ties with the Indian government, Agha Ruhullah noted, these efforts have met with no positive response.
Speaking about the role of the IIOJK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Agha Ruhullah criticized him for systematically undermining the authority of the local government. He said that the Lieutenant Governor would go to any lengths to diminish the authority and legitimacy of the local government. He said that Omar Abdullah-led government has been waiting for months for statehood to be restored with no progress. “The Lieutenant Governor is being imposed upon us, and the Chief Minister must take a stand against all of this,” he concluded.
