SRINAGAR: Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday questioned claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that people from the Union Territory continue to face suspicion, hostility and restrictions both within the region and in other parts of the country.
Addressing a press conference, Ruhullah cited the recent incident involving a bus carrying Kashmiri passengers in Karnal, Haryana, along with verification procedures, detentions and difficulties faced by Kashmiris travelling on highways, to challenge assertions that the situation had returned to normal.
“Has the situation really normalised when our buses are being attacked and our people are being killed?” he asked.
Blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the situation since 2019, the MP alleged that people from Jammu and Kashmir were increasingly being treated with suspicion in their own areas and elsewhere in the country.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been made suspects in their own areas. The verification regime is an example of this,” he said.
Ruhullah also raised concerns over people allegedly being held in custody without trial, claiming that thousands remained incarcerated on the basis of suspicion. He further alleged that Kashmiris travelling from south Kashmir towards Srinagar faced a hostile environment on highways.
On recent demonstrations, including protests by students and medical interns, the MP said the agitation reflected genuine grievances and efforts to reclaim democratic space.
“These are genuine protests. And now it seems that democracy is starting to breathe,” he said.
Ruhullah also questioned the steps taken by governments and political parties to reverse the abrogation of Article 370, arguing that acknowledging the decision as wrong was insufficient without concrete action.
“Everyone knows that the abrogation was wrong. You know, I know. Most of the people in India know,” he said.
He cautioned against allowing the demand for restoration of statehood to overshadow wider political and constitutional issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
The MP also criticised the government’s performance on governance and public commitments, raising concerns over electricity supply, employment, reservation, protection of jobs and issues affecting students and medical interns.
“Unfortunately, all the people of Kashmir have been disappointed,” he said.
Referring again to the ongoing protests, Ruhullah said the demonstrations reflected unresolved grievances and dissatisfaction over assurances that had not translated into tangible results.
He called for concrete action by the government and political parties on constitutional demands, governance and issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
