J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Karra on Monday raised concerns over the growing suppression of elected representatives in the region, warning that such actions could have serious political and psychological repercussions.
Speaking to media in Srinagar, Karra said, “Suppressing people’s voices or stopping them from expressing themselves is a non-democratic act. Today, we see one MLA under the Public Safety Act, another member of parliament in jail, and attempts to silence others who wish to speak. This is a strange and new way of pushing the mainstream to the wall.”
On Sunday, the J&K Police foiled the a protest against the existing reservation policy by placing several leaders, including Srinagar MP and NC leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, under house arrest and sealing the park where a sit-in was scheduled.
Karra recalled that mainstream politicians directly faced separatist challenges and political intimidation, often being taunted for their stance.
“The mainstream had to deal with threats to political workers’ lives. But today, from Delhi to Srinagar and Delhi to Jammu, the system seems to be adopting the same attitude once associated with the Hurriyat Conference or separatist forces. This is not the right direction,” Karra said.
The JKPCC president emphasized that politics should be a battle of ideas, adding, “the phrase ‘politics is a battle of ideas’ is being trampled today.”
This could have a direct psychological impact on the mainstream constituency, he said, warning that sidelining mainstream voices could backfire.
“Those who are in mainstream think that their voices are not being truly heard like that of separatists. Moving away from Delhi could create not just physical but political distance, which would be detrimental,” he added.
Karra also condemned the activities of radical organizations, accusing them of attempting to shape a divisive narrative about Kashmiris across India.
Referring to a recent incident outside J&K where Kashmiri are facing assault, Karra said he personally spoke to the Chief Minister Himachal Pradesh and requested action against elements trying to create a “new narrative” among the people.
He criticized organizations like the BJP, RSS, and Bajrang Dal for allegedly engaging in such activities around elections.
“The problem is that these radical organizations, whenever there is an election in India, indulge in such acts. There was an election in Bihar, and all this was done before that. Now elections are upcoming in Bengal and Kerala — why are they repeating the same tactics?” Karra questioned.
