Says Silence Began After Supporting Student Protest Against Reservation Policy
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD) National Conference Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, has revealed a growing disconnect between him and the party leadership, stating that communication with him has virtually ended — especially after his public support for a student protest against the controversial reservation policy outside the Chief Minister’s residence last year.
“Until the Assembly elections, my opinions mattered. Even if the party disagreed with my methods, they still respected my ideas. But after the reservation protest, all engagement stopped,” Ruhullah said during a recent X Space session.
He explained that the disconnect began right after the elections. “From the time they persuaded me to contest the Lok Sabha elections to just before the Assembly polls, I was consulted. But soon after, my views were no longer acknowledged,” he said.
Despite still representing the party in Parliament, Ruhullah noted that the National Conference leadership has not sought his input on key matters in recent times. “There are no takers for my political thinking anymore,” he lamented.
Ruhullah emphasized that he has avoided direct confrontation with the party, recognizing the strategic challenges it faces. “I understand they have to maintain equations with the central government for governance. That’s why I didn’t force my stance on them. At least no one can accuse me of costing them statehood,” he said.
He attributed the fallout to his presence at the December 23 protest, which he described as a spontaneous demonstration by students upset over the reduction of the open merit quota to around 30 percent under the new reservation policy. “I didn’t organize any protest. I simply stood by students who felt betrayed. If my presence helped amplify their voice, then I did my duty,” he said. “Call it a protest or something else — it doesn’t matter. If standing with students made me an enemy in the party, I’m okay with that.”
He added that his political engagement is driven by conscience rather than ambition. “I speak for my people — inside and outside the party — because it is my moral responsibility. What I say comes from within, not from political calculation. I don’t need to prove that to anyone. God is my judge.”
Ruhullah also responded to the recent Anti-Corruption Bureau chargesheet filed against 22 individuals, including him and six of his relatives, in a land revenue case. Dismissing the allegations as baseless, he expressed disappointment over the party’s silence. “No one from the National Conference has reached out to me. Had they done so, they would have known the facts of the case,” he said, indirectly pointing to the deteriorating internal communication within the party(DD)
