Expressing concern over the “daily victimization, dispossession, and disempowerment” of Muslims, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti today wrote to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to raise the issue in Parliament.
She said that in an environment increasingly defined by “hate and fear,” many have lost hope and feel completely helpless – and at this critical moment, Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha — stands as a rare source of hope for those who feel forgotten and voiceless.
The former chief minister said while the key issues such as the horrific Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor and other critical security matters are expected to dominate discussions in the Parliament, she sincerely hoped the Opposition, especially the INDIA bloc, raises the growing concern of Muslim victimisation across the country.
“Under the pretext of targeting “Bangladeshis” and “Rohingyas,” Muslims are being pushed into increasingly desperate situations. Disturbing media reports have even suggested that some were forced into the sea in attempts to expel them from India. As you rightly highlighted during your visit to Assam the large scale demolition of thousands of Muslim homes is deeply troubling,” Mehbooba wrote in her letter to Rahul.
She said the latest development the SIR being conducted in Bihar appears to be yet another “systematic effort to dispossess, disempower, and ultimately disenfranchise Muslims, effectively erasing their presence both symbolically and literally.”
“The Muslims who chose to remain in India during Partition did so because of the faith they had in the secular leadership of the Congress Party from Mahatma Gandhi to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Today as the bearer of that legacy the responsibility falls on your shoulders to uphold and defend the secular and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution,” PDP chief said.
She said that when Hindus who are minorities in neighbouring countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh are targeted “our nation rightly expresses outrage and the Union government intervenes”.
“But when Muslims are targeted within our own country there is an unsettling silence a fear that prevents many from speaking up. ..As a politician from one of the only Muslim majority regions that chose to join the Indian Union largely due to the vision and secular character of your great-grandfather I feel extremely helpless at times. Placing great hope in your leadership I urge you to continue speaking up for a minority that is being steadily marginalised and pushed to the fringes of Indian society,” she said.
