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| Aga Ruhullah faces backlash after Pahalgam massacre | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 22: National Conference Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, representing Srinagar, has come under intense scrutiny following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The gruesome killings of innocent Hindu tourists, reportedly targeted after being questioned about their religion, have sparked widespread outrage. Social media platforms, particularly X, are flooded with posts resurfacing Mehdi’s earlier statements, where he described the influx of tourists into the Kashmir Valley as a “cultural invasion.”
In a podcast recorded three months ago, Mehdi expressed concerns about the surge in tourism, stating, “This is not tourism in Kashmir. This is cultural invasion.”
He argued that unchecked tourism threatens the local culture and identity of the region. The timing of these remarks, now juxtaposed with the recent Pahalgam attack, has fueled allegations that his rhetoric may have emboldened separatist sentiments.
Critics, including political opponents and social media users, have linked his statements to the targeted violence, with some calling it a “cause and effect” scenario.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been vocal in its condemnation. BJP J&K ex-president Ravinder Raina labeled the attackers as “cowardly Pakistani terrorists” and accused Mehdi of undermining national security with his divisive comments. “They cannot fight our brave soldiers, so they attack innocent civilians. This is the true face of terrorism in Kashmir,” Raina said, pointing to the MP’s remarks as a potential catalyst for unrest. Posts on X have echoed similar sentiments, with users sharing clips of Mehdi’s statements and questioning the National Conference’s stance on tourism and security in the valley.
The attack in Pahalgam has reignited debates over the safety of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has seen a significant rise in visitor numbers in recent years. The tourism boom has been hailed by the government as a sign of normalcy and economic growth, but Mehdi’s remarks have cast a shadow over these achievements. His critics argue that labeling tourism as a “cultural invasion” risks alienating visitors and providing a pretext for violence.
Meanwhile, the killings have drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum, with calls for swift action against the perpetrators and measures to ensure the safety of tourists in the region.
The incident underscores the delicate balance between promoting tourism and preserving local identity in Kashmir, a region long plagued by conflict. As investigations into the attack continue, the spotlight remains on Mehdi, with his words now at the center of a heated national debate. |
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