Srinagar, Sep 16: Lok Sabha Member Ruhullah Mehdi has characterized the Lieutenant Governor’s office in Jammu and Kashmir as an “undemocratically imposed institution,” drawing parallels to a colonial viceroy and stating his refusal to engage with it on local issues like reservation.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Mehdi, currently estranged from the National Conference and poised to leave the party by November 3, expressed these views during a live audio conversation on X. He asserted that the office of the Lieutenant Governor lacks democratic legitimacy, rendering any interaction with it as an endorsement of an illegitimate setup.
Mehdi, who represents the Srinagar constituency, was questioned on various topics, including the current reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir. He previously led a student demonstration in December 2024 outside the residence of the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah concerning the rationalization of reservation quotas.
When asked about potentially protesting outside the Lieutenant Governor’s office in a similar fashion, Mehdi indicated he would only participate if the Chief Minister himself led such a demonstration. He reiterated his stance that the Parliament is the appropriate forum for raising issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, especially when government matters are being forwarded to the Union government via the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
The existing reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir allocates 67 percent of jobs and admissions to professional courses. Mehdi’s protest in 2024 was in support of demands to rationalize this quota, which had been increased from 43 percent to 67 percent in April 2024 by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration, including an additional 3 percent for ex-servicemen.
This expansion of the reservation quota left only 33 percent for general category candidates, sparking significant discontent among political parties and students in the Union Territory. Mehdi articulated that engaging with the Lieutenant Governor’s office would be tantamount to legitimizing what he perceives as an undemocratic structure.
Regarding his future political trajectory, Mehdi confirmed his departure from the National Conference on November 3, describing it as a predetermined outcome. He stated that his post-resignation plans involve extensive public outreach across the Kashmir Valley, assessing his past achievements, and building a new team of like-minded individuals before deciding on his next political move.
Mehdi also touched upon international matters, criticizing the US Ambassador for making what he termed a political statement that appeared to endorse the government’s handling of Jammu and Kashmir, calling it an unwarranted interference in internal affairs. He suggested that the Chief Minister missed an opportunity to assert the elected government’s position when the ambassador allegedly overstepped diplomatic boundaries.
Furthermore, Mehdi expressed dissatisfaction with US policy in the Middle East, asserting that the Chief Minister should have used the diplomatic engagement to convey local concerns regarding US involvement in that conflict.
The date of November 3 holds particular significance for Mehdi as it marks the anniversary of his father, Shia leader Aga Syed Mehdi’s assassination in 2000 due to a bombing incident.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
