Kashmiri MP: Parliament No Place for Muslim Voices

Srinagar – National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha member Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government over the passage of the controversial Waqf Bill, asserting that the move reflects the regime’s anti-Muslim and anti-minority stance.

In a powerful statement from Srinagar, Ruhullah Mehdi said, “Today, India has moved into a dark era of brute majoritarianism, where minority interests have been shown the door.” He accused the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS, of pushing an exclusionary agenda, stating that “a party that does not have a single Muslim MP has no moral or political right to speak for Muslims.”

Mehdi condemned the manner in which the bill was passed, claiming that Muslim voices in Parliament were deliberately silenced. He revealed that despite being one of the few Muslim MPs representing Kashmir, he was not given an opportunity to speak on the bill. “As a Muslim voice from Kashmir in Parliament, I was not even allowed to speak. This is structural marginalisation,” he said, adding that such exclusion has caused deep anguish among his constituents.

He further lamented that the “temple of democracy” has failed to reflect the lived experiences and concerns of Indian Muslims, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir. Mehdi’s statement comes amid widespread criticism from opposition parties and civil society, who argue that the Waqf Bill is yet another step toward institutionalized marginalization of religious minorities.

His remarks have struck a chord with many who view the bill as part of a broader effort to undermine Muslim institutions and suppress minority voices in India.