Sravasti Dasgupta 
New Delhi: Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi faced strong opposition from the treasury benches on Monday (August 5) in the Lok Sabha as he raised the fifth anniversary of the reading down of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said that while the discussion on the budget was a part of democracy, his people do not have democracy at this point.
During the discussion on the demands for grants for the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, Mehdi said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not have the “luxury” of enjoying equal rights as other Indian citizens do.
“Here, every member is participating in the debate on the grants for the ministry for fisheries. It is their good fortune that their circumstances are normal, they are equal citizens of this country. Their rights are equal and first class.
“But we don’t have this luxury. I also wanted to take part in such a debate to have the luxury and privilege of being an equal citizen to talk on such issues. But today on August 5, what had happened in the House five years ago…,” he said as the treasury benches could be heard registering protests.
Mehdi continued over the raised voices and responded to the treasury benches saying the reading down of Article 370 was not “not good for democracy”.
“Yes, it was good for you, but it was not good for democracy,” he added.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair then, asked Mehdi to speak on the budget.
“It may have been correct for your party, but it was not for the country and for jamhuriat [democracy], or for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, or for this House. Five years ago, on this day, when the House did this black act…,” he said as his voice was drowned out by loud protests from the treasury benches.
Also read: Five Years After Article 370, J&K Continues to be a Tragic Saga of Control and Erasure
“Keep the courage to listen as well. Dictators are afraid to listen. Five years ago in this House, Jammu and Kashmir’s dignity was taken away in the manner that Draupadi’s dignity was taken away. Just like the Kauravas, they were laughing and having fun. On this day, Jammu and Kashmir’s population and leadership was caged and our rights and our status…” Mehdi said as Pal called on the next speaker.
As Pal said that Mehdi’s remarks would not be kept in the House’s records, MoS Home Nityananda Rai then rose from his seat to counter Mehdi.
“What the honourable MP is saying must be removed from the records. The decision taken on August 5 to remove Article 370 by the Modi government was for the country’s unity and integrity. The comparison he has drawn to Draupadi’s cheerharan [stripping] must be removed from record,” he said.
Pal then said that Mehdi’s remarks would be examined, but the latter sought to speak again.
“If you speak on the budget, I will give you one more minute,” said Pal.
“I was speaking on the budget,” said Mehdi.
“Making a budget is part of democracy. But we don’t have democracy at this point,” he said as Pal called on the next speaker.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said that the decision to read down Article 370 was a “watershed moment” in history that was decided in parliament.
“Today we mark 5 years since the Parliament of India decided to abrogate Articles 370 and 35(A), a watershed moment in our nation’s history. It was the start of a new era of progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh,” he wrote.
“It meant that the Constitution of India was implemented in these places in letter and spirit, in line with the vision of the great men and women who made the Constitution. With abrogation came security, dignity and opportunity for the women, youth, backward, tribal and marginalised communities who were deprived of the fruits of development. At the same time, it has ensured that corruption, which plagued J&K for decades, has been kept at bay.”
Union home minister Amit Shah too in a tweet said that the “transformative decision has ushered in a new era of empowerment for marginalised sections and strengthened grassroots democracy in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.”