MP Aga Ruhullah says CM Omar’s liquor remarks echo BJP narrative

Srinagar, May 11: Member of Parliament, Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, on Monday strongly criticised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his remarks on liquor shops, saying the statements were against the promises made by the National Conference during the Assembly election campaign.

Speaking to reporters, MP Ruhullah said the party had committed to regulating liquor sales and shutting down wine shops, but the chief minister’s recent remarks had contradicted that stand.

“We do not force people into drugs either, but we still fight against drugs and work for the protection of society. Similarly, during the election campaign, we had said that we would close wine shops, regulate them and impose restrictions,” Ruhullah said.

He termed Omar Abdullah’s remarks “unethical” and “illogical”, alleging that instead of acting against liquor shops, restrictions were being imposed on people questioning their existence.

“Yesterday, a question was asked about liquor shops. Unfortunately, the answer given was arrogant and had no logic. We had promised people that restrictions would be imposed, but instead of acting on that promise, restrictions are being imposed on people raising the issue,” he said.

The MP alleged that the language used by the chief minister resembled the narrative adopted by the BJP after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

“This was the language of the BJP in 2019. Kashmiris were labelled anti-national, corrupt, thieves, terrorists, alcoholics and drug addicts. People fought against those tags, but now the same arrogance is being repeated,” he said.

Ruhullah said the chief minister’s remarks were contrary to what the National Conference had projected during the elections.

“The answer given yesterday was against what we had said during the election campaign. It was unethical and illogical,” he added.

On Omar Abdullah’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ruhullah said he did not expect restoration of statehood overnight but maintained that people had voted for guarantees related to Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and protections.

“I am waiting for the day when the Chief Minister gets the mandate and protections of the state restored because people voted for that. If people had wanted the BJP’s position, they would have voted for the BJP and its allies,” he said.

Ruhullah also criticised recent bulldozer actions linked to anti-drug operations, alleging that Muslims and Kashmiris were being selectively profiled.

“In minorities, especially Muslims, profiling is happening across India. It started in Uttar Pradesh and is now visible in many states. Houses are bulldozed on different pretexts,” he said.

The MP said criminals should be punished through legal means but opposed what he described as “extrajudicial punishment”.

“If someone has committed a crime, that person should be punished. But bulldozing homes in the name of crime is extrajudicial punishment,” he said.

Referring to anti-drug operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ruhullah said bulldozers were earlier used in the name of action against “anti-national elements” and were now being used under the pretext of fighting drugs.

“We are completely against drugs and want a serious fight against this menace. Those involved in bringing or selling drugs should be punished,” he said.

However, he alleged that the Lieutenant Governor’s administration must also be held accountable for the rise in drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We want accountability from the LG administration as well. After their arrival, drugs have increased here because law and order, police, intelligence and security forces are under their control,” Ruhullah claimed.

Calling the bulldozer actions a “vendetta”, the MP alleged that such measures reflected hostility towards Kashmiris and minorities.

“To use bulldozers in the name of crime is vendetta. It reflects enmity towards Kashmiris, minorities and Muslims,” he said.