We Are One, Despite the Poison of Divide: MP Ruhulla

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Dec 05: Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Jammu resident Kuldeep Sharma for donating a portion of his own land to his Muslim neighbor, journalist Arfaz Daing, after Daing’s house was demolished. “He has shown that no matter how much poison is spread here, we are one and will always remain one,” the MP stated.

According to a Kashmir Convener correspondent, Ruhullah had earlier raised the issue of the journalist’s demolished home in the Lok Sabha. He questioned what he described as a growing trend of discriminatory actions and urged the government to adhere to legal procedures, arguing the property was destroyed without following due process.

During his remarks, the MP questioned whether a “competition” now existed between the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir “over who will demolish more homes of Muslims.” At this point, the Chair, Dilip Sakia, intervened and directed that the naming of the officials be struck from the record.

Ruhullah further asked whether the country would “be run by laws or by an ideology of Islamophobia imported from Israel.” The Chair again intervened and ordered this reference to be expunged from the parliamentary proceedings.

Notably, Kuldeep Sharma, a resident of Jammu’s Narwal, offered land to journalist Arfaz Daing. Daing’s house, constructed 40 years ago, was demolished last month by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) for “being on encroached land.” The JDA is headed by Vice Chairman Rupesh Kumar, who was appointed to the position by Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The humanitarian gesture by Kuldeep Sharma, a former soldier, has evoked a warm response in the valley, where a second businessman has now come forward to reciprocate.

Muhammad Iqbal Shah, a well-known businessman from the Kapran area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, has announced he will offer ten marlas of land to Kuldeep Sharma in exchange for the five marlas Sharma gave to the displaced journalist. Shah stated that his step is an attempt to strengthen Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and the common bond of ‘Kashmiriyat.’ He added that the land he is offering is valuable, planted with apple trees, and is being donated to Kuldeep Sharma as a sincere gift.