Reiterates States must be ‘empowered through democratic rights’, seeks compensation for Nowgam blast victims
SRINAGAR: Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday responded sharply to criticism from some National Conference (NC) leaders, saying they should direct their political energy where it is “actually needed”.
“Instead of fighting against me, NC leaders should have adopted the same posture while taking on Modi,” Ruhullah said while speaking to reporters after visiting Hari Parigam area of Awantipora to express solidarity with the family of the Crime Branch photographer Javid Ahmad, who lost his life in the recent Nowgam blast.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the MP spent time with the bereaved family, offering condolences and assuring them that he would raise the matter at every appropriate platform.
Ruhullah said the Chief Minister should have “kept his ego aside” and fought for the mandate he received from the people. “Omar Abdullah should have set ego aside and instead of making personal attacks, he should fight for what he got votes for,” he said.
Calling out those within NC who have been speaking against him, the senior National Conference leader said, “Those leaders who are speaking against me just to keep their boss happy should fight against Modi with the same courage and posture.”
The MP demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into Nowgam blast. He questioned the circumstances under which the ammunition material was being transported, saying that the mishandling appeared to be “highly unprofessional” and required an independent probe.
“The Nowgam blast must be investigated thoroughly. Why was the ammunition material being carried in such an unprofessional manner and kept in a police station, and how were civilians like the tailor and Naib Tehsildar brought there? All angles must be looked into so that the truth comes out,” he said.
Ruhullah also urged the government to compensate all victims, including civilians and professionals like Javid Ahmad, who suffered due to the incident.
“Whoever has suffered in any way in this blast deserves compensation. The government must ensure that justice is delivered to every affected family,” he added.
Mehdi also rejected the claim that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was linked to the abrogation of Article 370. “Linking Article 370 with militancy is nothing but propaganda. Such incidents were happening before 2019, and the same are happening now,” he said.
Highlighting the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism, Mehdi said the people from all communities have contributed, and the death of photographer Javid is also a fight against terrorism.
“In fighting terrorism, people from every sect – Muslims and non-Muslims – have sacrificed. This is not the work of one sect. People like Javid have contributed immensely, and people irrespective of religion or caste will continue to stand against terrorism,” he said.
Ruhullah reiterated the importance of restoring democratic rights and empowering states, stating that people in Jammu and Kashmir felt empowered when they had special status and now feel disempowered after its revocation. “There is a dire need to empower states through democratic rights. People in J&K felt empowered with the special status; after its abrogation, they feel disempowered,” he said.