Mufti writes to Rahul to confront ‘marginalisation’ of Muslims in India

Srinagar, Jul 21: Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has written a strongly worded letter to Congress Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, urging him to take a firm stand against what she describes as increasing marginalisation and victimisation of Muslims across India. The letter was sent ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.In her communication, Mufti highlighted recent incidents and systemic policies she claims are aimed at disempowering the Muslim community. She cited the recent attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and ongoing efforts to displace Muslims through demolition drives and investigative reports as evidence of a troubling pattern.According to a statement issued here, the PDP chief expressed deep concern over reports of forced displacement in Assam and Bihar, where she alleges Muslims are being targeted under the pretext of deporting “Bangladeshis” and “Rohingyas”. She criticised the silence of political leaders and the media over the demolition of thousands of Muslim homes and the ongoing Special Investigation Reports (SIR) in Bihar, which she says are aimed at erasing Muslim presence both symbolically and physically.Drawing on India’s secular heritage, Mufti called upon the Congress Party to uphold the constitutional values of equality and justice. She pointed to the contrasting outrage over the targeting of minority Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, questioning the unsettling silence when Muslims face similar treatment within India.The former J&K CM expressed hope in Gandhi’s leadership to speak for a minority “being steadily pushed to the fringes” of Indian society.“The letter underscores a pressing political call to action as the opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc, prepares to raise these concerns in the Monsoon Session,” the statement added.