Srinagar, Jan 13 : National Conference Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, on Tuesday criticised what he described as double standards adopted by Western powers on democracy and human rights, particularly in the context of Iran and Gaza. He said interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations under the pretext of human rights was unjustified and selective.
Turning to domestic issues, Ruhullah alleged that the reported surveillance of mosques and religious preachers in Kashmir by police and intelligence agencies amounted to a violation of the Constitution and an infringement on the freedom of religious practice. Addressing reporters, he said the collection of details of mosque preachers and enhanced monitoring of religious spaces could not be seen as a routine administrative exercise.
“This is not merely a law and order issue. It appears to be part of a larger ideological project driven by a particular right wing worldview that seeks to control religions which do not conform to the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,” Ruhullah said.
He asserted that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely practise and propagate religion without fear. He said surveillance, intimidation and attempts to regulate religious practice directly violated constitutional rights.
Questioning the need for what he termed additional layers of scrutiny, Ruhullah said the state already possessed extensive personal data of citizens. “When people associated with a particular religion are singled out for extra monitoring, it creates an impression of intimidation,” he said.
He warned that such surveillance could eventually lead to direct interference in religious affairs. “A situation may arise where mosque preachers are told what to say and what not to say. That would amount to controlling the functioning of religion itself,” he said.
Ruhullah said security agencies including police, CID, intelligence units and paramilitary forces already have defined mechanisms, and targeting religious institutions separately sends a dangerous signal.
The MP also raised civic concerns, particularly the long pending issue of garbage dumping on the outskirts of Srinagar. He said dumping waste in a populated area and near a water body violated environmental laws and human dignity.
“The garbage dump has turned into a mountain over the years. It is against the law and against basic human rights,” he said, adding that he would seek answers from the elected government and the administration regarding waste management, relocation of the dumping site and restoration of the affected water body.
Ruhullah said he was willing to engage with authorities and locals to resolve the issue and ensure protection of people’s rights. There was no immediate response from the administration to the allegations. [KNT]
