MP Ruhullah condemns detentions post-National emblem row incident, terms it ‘operational retribution’
Srinagar, Sep 07: National Conference (NC) senior leader and MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi today expressed deep concern over reports of detentions in connection with events that unfolded at Dargah Hazratbal Shrine.
He condemned the move and termed it “operational retribution”.
In a statement issued, MP Ruhullah said that, “I am disheartened and anguished to learn that nearly thirty individuals have been detained by the Police in connection to events that unfolded at Dargah, Hazratbal”.
“I strongly condemn this act of operational retribution at a time when statesmanship demanded an approach of reconciliation and empathy from the administration. It is equally disappointing that this issue is being institutionally distorted to represent a twisted litmus test for nationalism,” he said.
The MP Ruhullah said that “The idea of India is an idea of mutual co-existence, where religious and cultural sentiments and precedents are not affronts to a collective national identity but integral values that define it. To portray the manifestation of a sentiment of hurt that organically emerged in Dargah, as a reflection of an ‘anti-national’ sentiment is a disservice to the nation, the constitution and the values it enshrines. It is also a collective and expedient vilification of the people of Kashmir”.
“The stature of the National Emblem is not in question here, nor a matter of debate. The matter of concern is the context of placing the National Emblem inside Dargah Hazratbal. There is a world behind inauguration plaques and it seems like the powers that be continue in their refusal to see that world,” he held.
He continued that, “The law of the land is holistic, not an exercise in isolation. To discuss the physical ‘vandalism’ of the contentious plaque at Dargah in the absence of understanding the act of ‘sentimental vandalism’ against the religious sentiments of the people is unfortunate. The situation that arose at Dargah Hazratbal stemmed from an instigation that was provided, if not engineered, by those who failed to understand the gravity of this act”.
Ruhullah added, “There are laws that define the precedent and scope of using the National Emblem. There are also laws against hurting religious sentiments and creating disharmony in the society. While the police and authorities have taken an operational and punitive recourse by detaining people, why aren’t they equally serious in the application of those laws? Why aren’t those who created this unfortunate situation at one of our most revered religious sites being held legally accountable?”.
“It is pertinent to state that it is not a case of moral judgement against other religious beliefs and practices either. To speak about prohibition of idol worship or idolatry in this context is irrelevant and missing the woods for the trees. While Islam teaches us to respect the sentiments and religious rights of others, it also clearly prohibits the depiction of any living beings inside our mosques and other places of worship. This is a categoric, unequivocal prohibition and is not a prohibition in the context of the national emblem,” he continued.
The MP hoped that those who have been arrested are released to their families. “I stand with them and their families as they endure a foreboding sense of uncertainty. May better sense prevail,” he added.
