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.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)