WS/VP Desk
Srinagar, Dec 24: Tensions seem to be brewing between the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Member of Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi following his participation in a student protest outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence on Monday.
On Monday, National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi, with the support of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti, along with members of the Awami Itehad Party (AIP), led a protest against what they described as a lack of a fair and transparent reservation policy.
However, the protest was called off after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah promised to submit a report on reviewing the Jammu and Kashmir reservation policy within six months. Shortly afterward, several National Conference leaders criticized Rahullah Mehdi for his involvement, while other political party leaders referred to his participation in the protest as a show-off and mere drama.
Earlier on Tuesday, National Conference (NC) MLA Salman Sagar expressed concerns about the involvement of a party MP in the protest.
Sagar emphasized that while individuals may act independently, no one, including prominent figures like Ruhullah Sahib, is above the party.
“Ruhullah Sahib is a significant figure with a strong mandate, having served as both an MLA and MP multiple times, but he is part of the party and cannot be bigger than it. No MLA, minister, or even the Chief Minister is bigger than the party,” Sagar stated.
He stressed that actions should align with party discipline and principles.
Sagar stated that associating with adversaries who seek to undermine the party’s efforts is a mistake. “Who are you sitting with? With our enemies, who look for opportunities to turn our accomplishments into disadvantages,” he noted, adding that these individuals had already been rejected by the public.
Sagar further remarked that the incident could have harmed Ruhullah Sahib’s image rather than benefitting it. “The political undertone given to the event has made his position awkward and likely resulted in a loss rather than a gain,” he said.
Reaffirming the NC’s commitment to addressing student concerns, Sagar added, “Students should be heard and treated fairly. We will welcome them, offer them tea and water, and engage in discussions about their issues as much as we can. However, there should not be politics involved in protests.”
He pointed out the influence of external forces: “If you come by plane, call from London, or sponsor protests from afar, and then stand with people who oppose us ideologically, it raises questions. Who is supporting and promoting the agenda of our enemies?”
Sagar reiterated the importance of party discipline and unity. “The party is supreme, and work should be conducted within the bounds of party discipline. There are many ways to lead and resolve issues, but it must be consistent with party principles,” he emphasized.
The criticism of MP Mehdi did not end there. Senior Congress leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, stated that Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi could have met with the Chief Minister directly instead of resorting to a media spectacle.
He remarked that it has now become fashionable to seek media attention; otherwise, a responsible MP from the National Conference could have acted more seriously.
Meanwhile, Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir from the BJP also, accused the National Conference (NC) of orchestrating a “fixed match” regarding the recent protest over reservation.
Sharma claimed that the protest was nothing more than a political maneuver involving Aga Ruhullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that both sides were in collusion. “It’s the first time we are witnessing such a spectacle, where members from the same ruling faction protest and meet the Chief Minister inside,” Sharma said, asserting that this was a clear sign of political theatrics rather than genuine dissent.
Sunil Sharma went further to assert that the NC would ultimately face defeat, claiming that their attempts to mislead the open merit aspirants would not succeed.
In response, Member of Parliament Srinagar Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi addressed his colleague MLA Hazratbal Salman Sagar in a lengthy post on X, citing Malcolm X’s distinction between the “House Negro” and the “Field Negro.”
“Back during slavery, when Black people like me talked to the slaves, they didn’t kill ’em; they sent some old house Negro along behind him to undo what he said. You have to read the history of slavery to understand this. There were two kinds of Negroes: the old house Negro and the field Negro.
The house Negro always looked out for his master. When the field Negroes got too far out of line, he held them back in check. He put ’em back on the plantation. The house Negro could afford to do that because he lived better than the field Negro. He ate better, dressed better, and lived in a better house. He lived right next to his master – in the attic or the basement. He ate the same food his master ate and wore his same clothes. And he could talk just like his master – with good diction. He loved his master more than his master loved himself. That’s why he didn’t want his master hurt. If the master got sick, he’d say, ‘What’s the matter, boss, we sick?’ When the master’s house caught fire, he’d try to put the fire out. He didn’t want his master’s house burned. He never wanted his master’s property threatened. He was more defensive of it than the master was.
That was the house Negro. But then you had some field Negroes, who lived in huts, had nothing to lose. They wore the worst kind of clothes, ate the worst food, and caught hell. They felt the sting of the lash, and they hated their master. Oh yes, they did. If the master got sick, they’d pray that he died. If the master’s house caught fire, they’d pray for a strong wind to come along. This was the difference between the two.
And today, you still have house Negroes and field Negroes. I’m a field Negro.” the post further reads.
Pertinently, The first joint protest in Jammu and Kashmir was witnessed since the formation of the National Conference government, bringing together various political leaders and social activists.
What is the Policy?
The policy introduced by the administration led by LG Manoj Sinha, prior to the assembly elections earlier this year, reduced the reservation percentage for the general category and increased it for reserved categories in jobs and admissions.
The previous administration had approved 10 percent reservations for Paharis and three other tribes, bringing the total reservations under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category to 20 percent.
Additionally, 8 percent reservations were granted to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), along with the addition of 15 new castes to the list of OBCs based on recommendations from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Commission.
In February, Parliament approved reservations for the Pahari ethnic tribe, Paddari tribe, Kolis, and Gadda Brahmins during the budget session.
Subsequently, in March, the Administrative Council convened under LG Sinha and approved the social welfare department’s proposal to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005, in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023, the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024, the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024, and recommendations from the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission.
