This Is Not the India We Joined in 1947: MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi

In this in-depth conversation, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, current Member of Parliament hailing from National Conference in Jammu Kashmir. He was also the former Cabinet Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He shares his unfiltered thoughts on the abrogation of Article 370, the political transformation of India, and the struggles faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ruhullah Mehdi discusses the foundation of Kashmir's accession to India, emphasizing how Article 370 served as a unique bond that granted Jammu and Kashmir protections similar to those provided to regions like Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, and the North-East. He passionately criticises the BJP-led government for reneging on the promises made in 1947, accusing them of steering the country toward becoming a "Hindu Pakistan."

Drawing from his personal and political experiences, Mehdi reflects on his journey in public life. He raises critical questions about the cultural and political invasion of Kashmir under the guise of tourism, the targeted killings that have devastated both Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, and the ongoing challenges to preserving Kashmiri identity amidst the RSS’s ideological agenda.

This thought-provoking discussion also explores the broader ramifications of India's current political climate, including the systemic marginalization of Muslims. Mehdi warns that what is unfolding in Kashmir today is a harbinger of what could become India's future if the nation fails to course-correct.