ibn sultan
New Delhi, July 28: Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday addressed the Parliament, criticising the government, media, and investigative agencies for what he described as a recurring pattern of collective punishment against the people of Kashmir following militancy incidents.
According to KNS, Ruhullah questioned, “Has anyone said today that war is waged with Pakistan later, but first it is always waged with Kashmiris?” He condemned the recent demolitions in Kashmir, claiming that 13 houses were destroyed on allegations of being “suspect homes,” without proper legal procedure or evidence.
He stated that innocent civilians often bear the brunt of the response to acts of terrorism. “After the attack, 13 homes were blasted in Kashmir. Why? Just because someone said they might belong to suspects? Is there any law for this?” he asked.
Expressing grief and solidarity with the victims of the recent attack, Ruhullah noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially Kashmiris, had openly condemned the violence.
“People closed their shops, businesses, and came out in protest—not because someone asked them, but because they felt the pain,” he said.
The National Conference MP also raised concerns over what he called arbitrary arrests and the misuse of authority in Kashmir. “More than 2,000 youths were detained after incidents like Pulwama and Pahalgam. Was there any law followed? Or was it simply punishment for being Kashmiri?” he questioned.
Ruhullah highlighted that Kashmiris continue to live under intense security restrictions. “Every five kilometres, we are stopped. Our youth are labelled, jailed, and beaten.
Even Kashmiri students and traders across India face violence, eviction, and harassment,” he said.
He further stated that media narratives following militancy incidents often contribute to negative stereotyping of Kashmiris.
He pointed to reports of violence and discrimination against Kashmiri students and workers in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Delhi. (KNS)
