Kashmir MP Ruhullah Appeals to Amit Shah for Proper Medical Care for Shabir Shah Amid Cancer Struggle
Srinagar, June 25, 2025 — In a move that has reignited the humanitarian and legal debate surrounding high-profile detentions in India, Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging immediate and dignified medical care for jailed Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah. The letter details grave concerns over Shah’s deteriorating health condition—particularly his battle with life-threatening prostate cancer.
In a comprehensive letter dated June 25, Ruhullah has appealed to the conscience of the Union government, stating, “Shabir Ahmad Shah is now 70 years old. By every humane and legal standard, he is entitled to medical treatment with dignity and fairness.”
The Core Appeal: Medical Treatment, Not Martyrdom
Ruhullah Mehdi’s letter does not merely express concern; it reflects the anxiety of a representative of the people. Highlighting that doctors have recommended three separate surgeries for Shabir Shah’s condition, Mehdi points out that Shah’s prolonged incarceration without adequate medical attention constitutes a potential violation of both Indian constitutional values and international humanitarian law.
The MP’s letter adds a human touch to the political discourse, noting that Shah has been under custody since 2017 and has been deprived of family support even during his hospital visits. According to the letter, a recent visit to Safdarjung Hospital on May 1, 2025, turned into an ordeal, with his family alleging harassment and mistreatment by escorting officers and denial of access to his medical records.
The Legal and Ethical Dimensions: ICCPR and Mandela Rules
The appeal outlines the broader legal obligations that bind the Indian government. Mehdi invokes Article 10(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which mandates that prisoners be “treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” India, being a signatory to the ICCPR, is thus legally obliged to adhere to these standards.
The Nelson Mandela Rules, specifically Rules 24 and 26, are also referenced. These international standards clearly dictate that prisoners should receive the same standard of health care as the general population. “In Shabir Shah’s case,” the letter reads, “one can quote multiple such obligations that appear to have been blatantly contravened.”
Domestic Precedents: Zahoor Watali and Gautam Navlakha
Ruhullah Mehdi reminds the Home Minister that India’s own judiciary has acknowledged the primacy of life and dignity. He references the cases of Zahoor Watali and Gautam Navlakha, both of whom were granted house arrest on medical and humanitarian grounds. Mehdi argues that Shah, still an undertrial, should be extended the same human consideration.
He writes: “With the same consideration, can it not be said then, for Shah, whose legal status remains that of an undertrial, is a question of his basic human rights?”
This appeal is more than a request; it is a moral interrogation of the Indian state’s responsibility towards those in its custody.
A Broader Message: The Measure of a Nation
In perhaps the most powerful line of the letter, Mehdi writes: “The measure of a nation is how it treats its weakest. Let us not fail that test.”
These words reflect a sentiment that resonates across political, social, and humanitarian domains—especially in conflict-affected regions like Kashmir. With his letter, Ruhullah Mehdi is not only advocating for one individual but also highlighting the systemic issues within India’s prison and healthcare systems.
Contextual Significance: Kashmir, Conflict, and Custody
The letter gains further significance given its geopolitical context. Kashmir has long been a region marked by conflict, and the health and treatment of separatist leaders like Shabir Shah remain deeply polarizing issues.
Shah, once hailed as the “Nelson Mandela of Kashmir” by his supporters, has been a central figure in the region’s separatist politics for decades. His continued incarceration despite age and severe illness is seen by many as a symbolic indicator of the government’s approach to political dissent.
Mehdi’s letter represents a rare political crossover—where humanitarian concern transcends ideological lines.
Political Reactions and Public Sentiment
The letter is expected to trigger strong reactions from across the political spectrum. While civil society groups and human rights organizations are likely to support the appeal, hardliners may view it as appeasement.
However, among ordinary Kashmiris, the concern is more practical and emotional. For them, the issue is less about politics and more about the humane treatment of a 70-year-old man fighting a terminal illness.
Next Steps: Will the Government Respond?
As of now, there has been no official response from the Union Home Ministry. Whether the letter will trigger a formal medical review or reassessment of Shah’s detention conditions remains to be seen.
However, the ball is now in the government’s court. With mounting pressure from elected representatives, activists, and international observers, the question is not just whether Shabir Shah will get medical care—but whether India will meet its own constitutional and moral benchmarks.
Conclusion: A Test of Dignity and Democracy
Ruhullah Mehdi’s letter to Amit Shah is not merely a political document; it is a litmus test for Indian democracy, judicial consistency, and humanitarian ethos. In calling for dignified cancer care for Shabir Shah, Mehdi is invoking more than legal rights—he is asking for India to rise to its own ideals. As Kashmir watches closely, and as global human rights organizations begin to take note, the government’s response will carry consequences far beyond prison walls. The nation, Mehdi reminds us, is not measured by its strength—but by how it treats those who are weakest.
