Mehbooba urges Rahul to raise issue of ‘Muslim victimisation' in Parliament
Ms. Mufti, in a letter to Mr. Gandhi, highlighted cases emerging from Assam and the ongoing survey in Bihar. 'It appears to be another effort to dispossess, disempower, and disenfranchise Muslims,' she said.
Stating that the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and other security matters might dominate the Parliament session, she urged the INDIA bloc, especially the Congress, however, 'to ensure that the concerns of the Muslim community are not ignored in national discussions'.
She said that Muslims, in the garb of identification of 'Bangladeshis' and 'Rohingyas', 'were being pushed into desperate situations'. 'Some were even forced into the sea in attempts to expel them from India,' Ms. Mufti said, referring to media reports.
She referred to the large-scale demolition of Muslim homes in Assam as 'deeply troubling'.
'Protect Congress' secular legacy'
Ms. Mufti said Muslims who stayed in India during the Partition did so because they trusted the Congress party's secular leadership from Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru. 'That legacy now rests with him to protect,' the PDP president said.
Ms. Mufti said when Hindus were targeted in countries such as Pakistan or Bangladesh, the Indian government strongly reacted. 'But when Muslims are targeted within India, there is silence driven by fear,' she added.
The PDP president said as a leader from one of the few Muslim-majority regions that chose to join the Indian Union, she felt 'helpless at times'. 'I place hope in Rahul Gandhi's leadership and urge him to speak up for a community that is being pushed to the margins of society,' she appealed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
16 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
V S Achuthanandan: The defeat that shaped a mass leader
ALAPPUZHA: In the political history of Kerala, the defeat of veteran communist leader V S Achuthanandan in the 1996 assembly election is written in black letters. Once considered a CPM's chief ministerial candidate, VS' unexpected loss in Mararikulam constituency became a turning point, not just in his career, but also in his personal life. VS was defeated by Congress candidate P J Francis by a slender margin of 1,965 votes, a result that sent shockwaves through Kerala's political circles. It was more than just a surprise loss, it was the fallout of a bitter factional feud that had gripped the CPM at the time. On one side stood the CITU-backed lobby led by then Chief Minister E K Nayanar, and on the other, the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU)-led faction under VS himself. The internal rift ran deep, and it played out publicly in the polls. In Mararikulam, considered a fortress of the left, cross-voting by disillusioned party workers, particularly those aligned the with CITU, sealed his defeat. Ironically, even Francis never imagined he would win. In an interview given to this paper years later, Francis recalled how reluctant he had been to contest. 'No one in the Congress wanted to stand against Achuthanandan,' he said. 'It was A K Antony who compelled me to contest. I had already lost twice before – to K R Gouri in Aroor. Mararikulam was a communist stronghold. I never thought I would win.' A soft-spoken politician from Convent Square in Alappuzha, Francis passed away last month, but his unexpected triumph over a communist giant sealed his legacy – as one etched in Kerala's political history. The 1996 defeat humanised VS. From a rigid ideologue, he began evolving into a more empathetic, accessible leader. The Mararikulam debacle was the beginning of a new VS, one who stood not just as a party leader, but a symbol of the people's fight for justice and dignity.
Hans India
16 minutes ago
- Hans India
Shivakumar flays BJP over GST notices, urges withdrawal
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has strongly criticised the BJP for issuing GST notices to small traders, saying, 'The BJP is trying to rub the banana peel on our nose after eating the banana themselves.' He made these remarks while speaking to the media near his residence in Sadashivanagar on Monday. Shivakumar clarified that the Central BJP government had, in 2019, set the annual turnover limit at ₹40 lakh and had directed all state governments to comply with this rule. 'The BJP should withdraw these harassing measures. Small traders including vegetable vendors, fruit sellers, tender coconut sellers, and flower sellers are now being targeted. Over 14,000 traders have already received notices,' he stated. He further added that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier voiced strong opposition to the GST structure, and that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be holding discussions with officials to explore ways to help the affected people. When asked if the state government would write to the Centre, Shivakumar confirmed, 'Definitely. Ours is the state that pays the highest GST in the country. Yet, our small and middle-class traders are being harassed. Justice must be ensured.' Responding to the PIL filed regarding the formation of five new municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), he said, 'Anyone can raise objections – that's their right. If there are any mistakes, we'll rectify them. The government is committed to forming five municipal corporations in Bengaluru. We have already discussed the matter with BJP leaders and formed a Joint Legislative Committee. People can continue to submit their objections if they wish, but many are doing it for political reasons. We are doing this in Bengaluru's interest.' He also mentioned that a press conference will be held in the next couple of days to provide clarity on matters like A Khata, B Khata, e-Khata campaigns, tax reforms, and civic administration plans. When questioned about the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), Shivakumar said, 'There are both supporters and critics of the SIT decision. The Home Minister is handling the matter and senior officials have been appointed to the SIT. The truth will come out after a thorough investigation.' Reacting to the opposition's claims that the SIT was formed to divert attention, he said, 'Whatever we do, the BJP finds a reason to oppose it. The media amplified the issue, and we respect the media's role in a democracy. Ensuring justice is a shared responsibility between the government and the press.' He confirmed that he and the Chief Minister will visit Delhi on July 25 and said that he does not have more details regarding Congress leader Randeep Surjewala's visit.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Parliament Monsoon Session Live: Opposition to corner government over voter roll, INDIA bloc huddle at 10 am
INDIA bloc leaders are expected to meet at 10 am today, ahead of the Parliament session, to discuss Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue, sources told India Today TV. A protest is also planned at the Makar Dwar of Parliament at 10 am. Later, Congress MPs are scheduled to meet at 10:30 am to deliberate on the matter. (With inputs from Mausami Singh.) Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh has submitted a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267, seeking an urgent discussion on the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of polls. In his notice, Singh warned that similar revision drives are planned across the country, including in West Bengal, where high migration, displacement, and documentation gaps could leave the poor and marginalised at risk of large-scale disenfranchisement. Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday submitted a notice to move an adjournment motion under Rule 56 in the Lok Sabha, seeking an urgent discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls launched by the Election Commission in Bihar on June 24, 2025. In his notice, Tagore argued that the revision exercise has serious implications for the democratic process, especially with the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November this year.
