Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah voices concern over civilian treatment in Kashmir

New Delhi, July 29: During the continuing Lok Sabha discussions on Operation Sindoor, Aga Syed Ruhullah, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, on Monday late night, expressed concern over the treatment of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack.

His speech, marked by interruptions from few members, focused on what he described as disproportionate actions against locals by institutions/agencies in the aftermath of terror incidents.

Ruhullah noted that the Pahalgam attack was widely condemned across Jammu and Kashmir. He said people across the Valley mourned the loss of lives, held protests against the terrorist, gruesome act, and shut down shops and businesses as a mark of solidarity with the victims.

He emphasised that Kashmiris shared the grief of the bereaved families and demonstrated a collective rejection of terrorism.

However, he criticised the subsequent security response, alleging that rather than focusing on external threats, terrorist threat, some institutions turned their attention inward toward ordinary citizens. He claimed that following the attack, around 2,000 locals were detained, and several houses of suspects were destroyed without clear legal basis.

Ruhullah further stated that Kashmiris continue to face routine checks and suspicion, citing examples of increased scrutiny and police action after past incidents such as those in Pulwama and Uri.

He also raised concerns about reported harassment of Kashmiri students and businesspersons in various other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh.

Questioning the democratic principles of equal citizenship, the Srinagar MP asked whether security actions were being taken under the framework of law or driven by prejudice.

His remarks were cut short following interventions from the Speaker and protests from other members of the House.