NC MP Says “law must apply equally to all communities”; calls Ladakh’s achievement a lesson for Kashmir leadership
Srinagar, May 23: National Conference Member Parliament from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday termed the Centre’s decision to grant constitutional safeguards and legislative protections to Ladakh as a “slap on the face” of the political leadership of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to media persons, as per news agency JKNS, Ruhullah said that if the leadership of a “small region like Ladakh” could fight the Government of India and secure constitutional protections, then there was “no justification” for the leadership of Kashmir failing to do the same.
“This is a slap on the face of the leadership of Kashmir. If the leadership of a small region like Ladakh can fight against the Government of India and get their rights, then there is no reason why the leadership of Kashmir could not do so,” Ruhullah said.
He further said that the people of Ladakh had shown how rights are achieved through struggle and consistent political resistance.
Referring to the annual Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA), Ruhullah described the revered saint as the “founder of Kashmir’s spiritual, cultural and social identity,” saying his teachings promoted religion, unity, communal harmony and cultural coexistence in Kashmir.
“Shah-e-Hamdan (RA) united the people of Kashmir through the teachings of religion, humanity and unity. The artistic, cultural and social foundations laid by him still shape Kashmir’s identity today,” he said.
Reacting to BJP leader Sunil Sharma’s remarks about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah being “missing,” Ruhullah said, “If they want to file a missing report, let them do it. We should also know where he is.”
On the issue of alleged demolition drives and retrieval of land, the Srinagar MP said there should be no “bulldozer justice” and insisted that all matters related to land disputes or ownership should be resolved strictly through courts and legal procedures.
“There should be nothing beyond the court and the law. Whether it is demolition, acquisition or retrieval of land, due legal process must be followed. Muslims and non-Muslims should be treated equally under law,” he said.
Ruhullah added that if land ownership documents existed and could be established in a court of law, they should not be ignored arbitrarily.
He reiterated that laws should be implemented uniformly across India and Jammu and Kashmir without selective targeting of any particular community. (JKNS)
