People must lead the way to restore political accountability, Sub-committee report on reservation should be settled in week’s time: Ruhullah
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 21 June 2025
A Voice of Conscience in Tumultuous Times
In a bold and emotionally resonant address in Sopore, Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi delivered a powerful message: political change in Jammu & Kashmir must be driven by the people, not just politicians. With a tone that struck both urgency and idealism, Ruhullah made it clear that superficial shifts in party leadership or alliances will not bring about meaningful reform.
“Changing parties won’t help unless we change the politics itself.”
These words have since echoed across civil society platforms, newsrooms, and student unions—resonating with a public growing increasingly disillusioned by the status quo.
Ruhullah’s remarks come at a critical juncture in J&K’s political landscape, where institutional trust has eroded, youth are frustrated by unemployment and uncertainty, and reservation reforms are stirring public unrest. Against this backdrop, his appeal goes beyond traditional political rhetoric. It is a call to action.
More Than Power: A Mission of Ethical Politics
Ruhullah has long maintained a stance that distances him from personality cults and power-centric politics. In Sopore, he reaffirmed that his vision is not rooted in acquiring positions but in rebuilding the foundation of political ethics.
“I don’t want a chair or position. I want a politics of conscience.”
This sentiment is gaining traction, particularly among youth and civil society groups who feel alienated from the political process. It’s a return to the idea that politics is not merely a career but a responsibility—one that must be practiced with honesty, humility, and accountability.
His speech also emphasized that loyalty to a party should never outweigh loyalty to truth and justice. Blind allegiance, he warned, has been the breeding ground for corruption, favoritism, and governance failures.
The Sopore Gathering: A Shift in Political Narrative
The venue was symbolic. Sopore, often described as the nerve center of North Kashmir’s political awareness, has seen decades of activism, conflict, and aspiration. By choosing this town to deliver his call for ethical reform, Ruhullah sent a strong message: the people who have borne the brunt of political negligence are now being asked to lead its rectification.
The civil society gathering included students, lawyers, educators, and retired officials—many of whom later remarked that Ruhullah’s words felt “genuinely transformative.”
With slogans like “People before parties” and “Justice, not just politics,” the atmosphere was more than just political—it was civic. There was no party paraphernalia, no candidate posters. Just an open forum and a plea for responsible governance.
A New Front or A New Philosophy?
Ever since his address, political analysts have speculated about Ruhullah’s next move. Is this the beginning of a new political front? A breakaway faction? An independent movement?
Ruhullah has been measured in his responses. While he hasn’t ruled out future organizational steps, he insists that his current goal is to awaken values, not create splinters.
“I am not here to form something for the sake of forming it. I want us to reform what we already have—or replace it with something better, together.”
This hints at a broader, pan-societal initiative—one that might draw support from various segments disillusioned with party politics but still hopeful about democratic transformation.
The Reservation Quota Controversy: A Flashpoint for Accountability
Ruhullah’s remarks were not limited to abstract ideals. He drilled down into one of the most contentious issues currently facing the region: the reservation policy.
He demanded that the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s report on J&K’s reservation structure—delayed beyond its six-month deadline—be finalized and made public within a week. The report, originally expected by June 2024, has yet to be tabled before the Cabinet or disclosed to the public.
“We cannot afford further delays. Transparency is not a favor—it’s a duty.”
The report is believed to propose adjustments to quotas for Scheduled Tribes, Pahari-speaking people, and SEBCs, sparking intense debate. Student groups, especially those from the open merit category, argue that these changes could compromise fairness and meritocracy.
Student Unrest and the Demand for Transparency
Ruhullah’s alignment with protesting students has elevated the debate to a new level. In recent months, students across J&K have launched movements like #MeritMattersJK, demanding that reservation policy changes not come at the cost of transparency or fairness.
These students have organized sit-ins outside administrative offices, social media campaigns, and open letters to the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Many have warned that any opaque decision could destroy the career prospects of thousands of meritorious youth.
By championing their cause, Ruhullah has positioned himself as a bridge between governance and grassroots. His message to the youth is simple: don’t wait for leaders—become the change agents yourselves.
The Ethics of Delayed Governance
One of the key themes in Ruhullah’s speech was the problem of deferred responsibility. He criticized the government for using legal vetting and bureaucratic hurdles as an excuse for delay.
“When it comes to pushing bills through Parliament, timelines are tight. But when it comes to accountability, suddenly there’s all the time in the world.”
He pointed out that the longer the government delays action, the more it fosters cynicism. This isn’t just about reservation. It’s about restoring trust in institutions.
A Call to Civil Society: Reform Starts With Us
Ruhullah’s most striking message was directed at civil society. He urged citizens not to wait for political change to trickle down from the top, but to build it from the ground up.
He encouraged neighborhood forums, student collectives, professional bodies, and even religious institutions to engage in the political process—not to campaign for parties, but to uphold values.
His call included:
- Demanding transparency through RTIs and legal channels
- Participating in local governance
- Educating youth about democratic rights
- Countering misinformation and propaganda
This is not merely civic activism. It’s what Ruhullah calls “ethical patriotism”—a love for the region expressed through responsibility, not rhetoric.
The Bigger Picture: A New Political Ethos for J&K
Ruhullah’s campaign for political reform is not just about reservation reports or electoral shifts—it’s about fundamentally reimagining the political ethos of Jammu & Kashmir. For too long, the region has been mired in reactive politics, transactional loyalties, and identity-based polarization. Ruhullah is advocating for a politics rooted in ethics, evidence, and empowerment.
At the heart of this ethos is the principle that political leadership must be accountable to the people—not just during elections, but every single day. That accountability is not ensured by media optics or high-pitched debates in the Assembly—it is guaranteed by grassroots vigilance, active citizenry, and institutional integrity.
This means:
- Policies must be data-driven, not politically convenient
- Public institutions must be independent and transparent
- Community voices must be part of policy formulation—not just spectators to its aftermath
Such a vision will require patience, persistent civic engagement, and a fundamental shift in how both leaders and voters perceive politics. But as Ruhullah reminds us, the change is not only necessary—it is inevitable.
From Protest to Policy: Can Citizen Movements Redefine Governance?
The ongoing reservation controversy and Ruhullah’s response to it have created a unique opportunity: to transition public protest into public policy. While movements often begin with outrage or resistance, their lasting impact lies in how they shape governance models, laws, and institutional reforms.
J&K has witnessed movements in the past—student uprisings, autonomy demands, and regional agitations. However, most of them faded without structural change. What Ruhullah is now proposing is different: converting people’s energy and indignation into a platform for lasting democratic reform.
This shift requires a strategic framework:
- Citizens must not just protest; they must also propose
- Civil society must draft alternative policy recommendations
- Local leaders should help institutionalize feedback loops through councils and people’s assemblies
In essence, public movements must evolve from pressure groups to participatory governance agents. Only then will the cycle of temporary appeasement and prolonged dissatisfaction break.
The question is not just whether citizen movements can redefine governance—but whether the government is ready to listen, include, and respond. If so, this could be a turning point in J&K’s political destiny.
Opposition, Challenges, and the Road Ahead for Reform Politics in J&K
While Ruhullah’s vision is resonant, it is not without formidable challenges. Political reform is seldom welcomed by those invested in the status quo, and in Jammu & Kashmir, entrenched political interests, security complexities, and socio-economic uncertainties often act as deterrents to change.
Facing Pushback from Political Rivals
Several political figures have subtly (and sometimes overtly) dismissed Ruhullah’s approach as “idealistic” or “impractical.” Some accuse him of moral posturing without electoral ambition, while others question the sustainability of a politics that doesn’t rely on identity-based vote banks.
But Ruhullah is clear in his rebuttal:
“If politics without ethics is realism, then maybe we need more idealists.”
His defiance, grounded in principle, has turned criticism into an opportunity for discourse—a rare development in the often confrontational arena of J&K politics.
Institutional Inertia and Bureaucratic Delays
Another major hurdle is institutional inertia. Even well-meaning reforms get stuck in bureaucratic red tape. The Cabinet Sub-Committee report on reservations is a classic example. Delays in tabling, legal vetting, and final approval indicate a system that resists swift accountability.
To overcome this, Ruhullah is advocating for:
- Public review timelines for committee reports
- Mandatory disclosures on government portals
- Independent auditing of reservation and recruitment policies
Security Complexities and Shrinking Civic Space
The security situation in Jammu & Kashmir complicates political activism. Frequent internet shutdowns, restrictions on assembly, and surveillance limit civic engagement. This shrinking space for dissent and discourse poses a real challenge for bottom-up reform.
Yet, Ruhullah’s emphasis on non-confrontational, community-led movements offers a workable model that avoids direct conflict while nurturing change.
The Reform Path Ahead
Despite these roadblocks, the reform path is not a dead end. If anything, the political maturity shown by students, teachers, young professionals, and civil society leaders offers a strong support base for ethical politics.
Ruhullah’s roadmap includes:
- Periodic town halls and public hearings
- Legislation for transparency in student admissions and public jobs
- Encouragement of independent candidates in local elections
B: A Conscience Awakened – What Lies Beyond One Leader
MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s voice has become more than just a critique of politics—it has become a call for introspection and reinvention. His campaign for citizen-led reform and political accountability represents not a detour but a return to the very ideals that democracy is supposed to uphold.
Whether or not Ruhullah forms a new party, wins more elections, or holds higher office may be beside the point. The true measure of his success will lie in whether the people of J&K, particularly its youth, decide to reclaim their democracy—not with slogans, but with sustained civic action, ethical participation, and informed decision-making.
“This is not about me. This is about a generation that deserves better politics.”
And perhaps that is the most radical thing any leader in today’s political climate can say.
