Srinagar: Kashmir Member Parliament and National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has accused the BJP of using Kashmir as the centerpiece of an “anti-Muslim theatre” to cater to its hardcore Hindutva voter base.
Speaking at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, Mehdi alleged that the BJP has crafted a political spectacle where the condition of Muslims is showcased for electoral gains. “They show this theatre to an audience that applauds them, and in return, the BJP secures votes,” he said at a discussion on ‘Political Representation and Citizenship in Post-370 Jammu and Kashmir’ organized by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
Mehdi argued that Kashmir is the biggest stage in this “theatre” because of its Muslim-majority population, which, according to him, the BJP aims to disempower. “Since Muslims here hold power, that power must be taken away, and they must be brought to their knees. What bigger theatre can there be than this?” he remarked.
He linked these developments to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, stating that its revocation continues to be used as a political tool far beyond J&K. “Even in Uttar Pradesh, where people struggle for food, jobs, and basic necessities, BJP candidates still invoke Article 370 in their speeches, and the crowd cheers,” he said.
On the role of political parties in the post-2019 scenario, Mehdi stressed the need for elected representatives to lead a united resistance movement. “MLAs must embody the people’s resistance and come together for an organized movement. Right now, they are failing in this responsibility,” he asserted. [KNT]
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