The Voice Within, Slowly Being Silenced
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 03 July 2025
In the shifting landscape of Jammu and Kashmir’s politics, one name has emerged as a conscience-keeper within the traditional halls of power—Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the sitting Member of Parliament from Srinagar and a senior leader of the National Conference (NC). Yet today, Ruhullah stands visibly and vocally isolated within his own party.
From public disagreements with Omar Abdullah to solidarity with protesting students, from his unyielding stance on Article 370 to his criticism of internal party inertia, Ruhullah’s journey reflects a moral dilemma faced by many in today’s compromised political theatre.
But what exactly has led this articulate, ideologically rooted leader to feel alienated in the very party he has loyally served? Let’s unpack the story of his increasing isolation—and what it means for the future of politics in Kashmir.
Disillusionment Over NC’s Diluted Stand on Article 370
Ever since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, Aga Ruhullah has maintained a principled and uncompromising position: that the National Conference must demand full restoration of constitutional autonomy, not merely statehood.
“This is not just about an administrative downgrade. It is about identity, rights, and dignity,” Ruhullah has often said.
However, within the party, this uncompromising tone has been met with discomfort. While the NC initially promised a legal and political struggle to reverse the decision, over time, its leadership—particularly Omar Abdullah—has appeared to shift focus toward electoral pragmatism and governance within the new framework.
For Ruhullah, this shift is not just political—it is a moral betrayal. His repeated insistence on keeping Article 370 at the center of the NC’s agenda has made him appear too rigid, too idealistic, or too inconvenient for party tacticians who are more interested in electoral adaptability.
A Clash of Wills: Ruhullah vs Omar Abdullah
The most visible sign of Ruhullah’s growing distance from the party leadership came when he walked out of a National Conference working committee meeting after a heated verbal confrontation with Omar Abdullah.
According to insiders, the argument centered around ideological clarity, youth discontent, and accountability for pre- and post-Article 370 failures.
“How can we claim to represent the people if we are not ready to demand back what was snatched from them?” Ruhullah reportedly told the gathering.
This very public fallout was followed by cold shoulders, restricted participation in party strategy discussions, and a communication blackout between Ruhullah and the party’s top brass.
The tensions were further inflamed when Ruhullah protested outside the CM’s residence—a move seen not just as dissent, but as rebellion within party ranks.
Standing with Students: A Breach of Party Protocol or Moral Duty?
In May 2025, the youth of Kashmir erupted in protest against the controversial reservation policy, which drastically reduced open merit seats in favor of new quotas. Amid this unrest, Aga Ruhullah did something few senior politicians dared: he joined the students, not as a leader, but as a supporter.
“These are our children. If they lose hope in fairness today, we lose the next generation,” he said while addressing the protesters.
However, for the NC leadership, Ruhullah’s participation was seen as undermining party discipline. No other senior leader had shown public support for the agitation. His action disturbed the NC’s quiet neutrality, and several insiders viewed it as a calculated attempt to outshine the leadership.
But Ruhullah insists this was never about personal ambition. For him, standing with young people who feel betrayed is an ethical obligation, not an act of defiance.
Marginalized in His Own Party: From Strategist to Outsider
There was a time when Ruhullah was seen as a key intellectual force in the NC, often drafted to articulate the party’s positions on national platforms. His speeches in Parliament were lauded even by critics, and his depth of knowledge on Kashmir’s history made him a credible face of resistance.
But today, he says he is not invited to core committee meetings, not consulted on policy, and rarely included in party campaigns.
“I feel consumed by this moral responsibility I carry for my people. I want to speak for them—within or outside the party. But the space to do that is shrinking.”
This marginalization is not just emotional—it’s strategic. By sidelining Ruhullah, the NC leadership may be signaling to New Delhi its willingness to distance itself from hardline voices—a move aimed at mainstream acceptability, but one that may cost them grassroots credibility.
A New Political Path? Speculations and Signals
Despite growing calls from young voters, students, and activists for Ruhullah to form a new political outfit, he has repeatedly denied any such move—at least for now.
But his recent public statements have all the hallmarks of a leader on the cusp of realignment:
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He talks about “quality of politics” rather than just electoral games.
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He stresses integrity, empathy, and accountability—values many say are missing from today’s political parties.
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He has called for a “moral reset” in Kashmiri politics, even if it means standing alone.
“I don’t seek power. I seek truth. I want to represent people whose voices are filtered out by party filters and political optics.”
Whether Ruhullah takes the plunge into independent politics or not, his ideological clarity and public support have given him a unique moral authority—one that transcends party boundaries.
Voices from the Ground: What People Are Saying
Across Kashmir, Ruhullah’s actions have not gone unnoticed—especially among the youth, civil society, and erstwhile party loyalists.
What citizens are saying:
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Zara Qadri, student activist: “He’s the only leader who walked with us instead of preaching from podiums. That matters.”
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Feroz Dar, retired government teacher: “Ruhullah reminds me of old-school politics—clean, committed, and courageous.”
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Shujaat Hussain, PDP dissident: “If he starts his own platform, I’ll be the first to join.”
In a space where politicians are often accused of opportunism, Ruhullah is increasingly being seen as a leader of principles in an age of posturing.
What This Means for National Conference—and Kashmir’s Political Future
The internal estrangement of a popular MP like Aga Ruhullah could have significant long-term implications for the NC:
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Loss of youth credibility: As students and first-time voters drift away.
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Splintering of ideological cohesion: Between pragmatists and idealists.
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Opening for independent voices: Leading to multi-polar electoral contests.
If the NC fails to bridge this rift, it may lose a vital voice—and a sizable voter base that values clarity over convenience.
On the other hand, if Ruhullah chooses to chart his own course, he may well become the nucleus of a new, value-driven political movement in Kashmir—one that prioritizes justice, truth, and dignity over survival politics.
Bottom-Line: A Solitary Voice, or the Beginning of a New Chorus?
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s isolation in the National Conference is not just a personal conflict—it is a symptom of deeper ideological confusion within Kashmir’s mainstream parties. As he continues to stand firm on constitutional integrity, civic justice, and honest governance, he embodies a growing yearning among Kashmiris for leaders who speak plainly, act ethically, and resist compromise.
Whether he reforms the system from within or builds something new from the outside, Ruhullah has already redefined what it means to be a political leader in Kashmir—not by how many chairs he fills, but by how many consciences he awakens.
