Srinagar, Oct 20: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday alleged that Kashmir had been polarised rather than normalised since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, claiming that people from Jammu and Kashmir were increasingly facing hostility both within the Union Territory and in other parts of the country.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, MP Ruhullah as per Kashmir Convener said the post-2019 situation had created an atmosphere of suspicion around Kashmiris, citing verification procedures, the treatment of detainees and alleged harassment of people travelling outside the Union Territory.
“Kashmir has been polarised instead of being normalised. This is what I have been saying since 2019,” he said, adding that the responsibility for the strained relationship between Kashmir and the rest of the country lay with the BJP.
The Srinagar MP also referred to the reported harassment of Kashmiris in other states, saying that people were being treated with suspicion and subjected to hostility. He cited the verification regime and the detention of people without trial as examples of what he described as the deterioration of the situation.
MP Ruhullah also drew parallels between protests in Kashmir and recent demonstrations elsewhere in the country, arguing that the response to dissent reflected a wider challenge to democratic freedoms.
Referring to protests over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, he said activists demanding accountability had faced restrictions and detentions. He alleged that measures such as internet shutdowns and the detention of protesters bore similarities to the experiences of people in Kashmir.
Srinagar MP said questions had been raised about the Election Commission and its functioning, and called for the resignation of the chief election commissioner, criminal proceedings where warranted and a review of elections conducted under his supervision.
He said the protests indicated that people were attempting to reclaim democratic space and challenge what he termed authoritarianism. Even the possibility of stringent legal provisions such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act being invoked against activists had not stopped them from raising their concerns, he added.
On the abrogation of Article 370, MP Ruhullah said describing the August 5, 2019, decision as wrong was not enough, and challenged political parties and governments to explain what concrete steps they were taking to reverse it.
“Everyone knows that the decision of August 5 was wrong,” he said, adding that the real question was what political parties and governments were doing to oppose it through institutional, democratic and peaceful means.
He also expressed disappointment over the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir government, saying people were dissatisfied with both its political agenda and governance.
Referring to the demands of students and medical interns, MP Ruhullah said protests over reservation and the pending enhancement of stipends had exposed the growing frustration among young people.
He pointed out that medical interns had returned to the streets after a month-long period in which they had been assured that their demands would be addressed. He also referred to the protests by students over reservation-related issues, alleging that their concerns had not received an adequate response.
MP Ruhullah questioned the government’s progress on the restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees, employment, electricity, reservation, protection of jobs and the treatment of detainees.
He said people were being asked to focus on statehood while other political and governance-related concerns remained unresolved.
“Whether it is the political agenda, governance, electricity, employment, reservation, students, interns or prisoners, on what parameters can we say that the government has done something that satisfies the people?” he asked.
MP Ruhullah said the disappointment among the people of Jammu and Kashmir was evident and called for greater accountability from the political leadership.
The remarks come amid continuing demands in Jammu and Kashmir for the restoration of statehood and resolution of issues relating to employment, reservation and the rights of students and government employees.
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