Kashmir’s MP: You Want Land of Kashmir or People of Kashmir?
Kashmir’s MP: you want land of Kashmir or people of Kashmir?—this incisive question came from Barumulla MP Engineer Aga Syed Ruhullah Engineer Rashid in a fiery speech in the Lok Sabha. On July 29, 2025, he challenged both ruling and opposition parties:
“You have to decide, both ruling and Opposition sides, whether you want the people of Kashmir or the land of Kashmir… J&K problem is not communal, it is a political issue. You need to give a political solution.” YouTube+3The Economic Times+3THE KASHMIR GRAH+3
The Context: Where the Statement Was Made
Rashid made the remarks during heated discussions on the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which claimed 26 lives of tourists in one of Kashmir’s main valleys. Describing the devastation and wider impact, the MP emphasized the need to win the hearts of Kashmiris, not just preserve territory. The Times of India8The Economic Times8The Times of India8
Video Insight
A video capturing Rashid’s Lok Sabha address has circulated widely. In it, he lays bare the emotional and political urgency: Kashmiris must not be reduced to territory—they are people’s lives, identities, dignity. YouTubeFacebook
Historical & Political Background
Since August 2019, India revoked Article 370, nullifying Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganising it as a Union Territory. That move, upheld by India’s Supreme Court in December 2023, removed the region’s autonomy and triggered deep political controversies. The Economic Times7en.wikipedia.org7en.wikipedia.org7
In the 2024 legislative elections, Omar Abdullah’s National Conference-Congress alliance won power. While national leaders emphasized development and integration, voices like Rashid’s have been warning that the essence of Kashmir extends beyond constitutional changes—it lies in its people. en.wikipedia.orghansard.parliament.uk
What Does “People or Land” Mean?
- Land-centric politics focuses on territory, borders, administrative control and strategic stakes.
- People-centric politics, as advocated by Rashid, prioritises local Kashmiri voices, rights, cultural identity, and political agency.
He argued that counterinsurgency and security operations will fail unless supported by genuine political engagement and solutions rooted in the will of Kashmiris themselves. The Economic Times
Humanitarian & Security Impact
The April 22 Pahalgam massacre not only escalated communal violence but fuelled regional tensions. India claimed Pakistani-linked militants were behind it; Pakistan denied involvement, calling India’s assertions fabrications. Cross-border skirmishes followed, escalating until a US-mediated ceasefire in May. YouTube4The Times4Reuters4
Meanwhile, local voices rose in solidarity. Kashmiris mourned the loss, condemned extremist violence, and emphasized tourism’s importance as cultural exchange—not conflict. Facebook
State leaders like Mehbooba Mufti have also urged a shift from militaristic responses to reconciliation for regional progress. economictimes.indiatimes.com
Deeper Meaning: A Region at Crossroads
Rashid’s question underscores a critical tension:
- Is Kashmir simply a geopolitical asset, contested by India and Pakistan?
- Or is it a living, breathing region with millions of people yearning for dignity, self‑determination, and peace?
International voices echoed similar concerns: as one UK MP noted, Kashmir isn’t just a bilateral issue—it’s fundamentally about the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. hansard.parliament.uk
What’s Next?
| Domain | What’s at Stake |
|---|---|
| Political Policy | Will New Delhi engage Kashmiri leaders or continue top-down governance? |
| Dialogue Path | Will central and regional parties pursue meaningful political solution? |
| Public Sentiment | Local support hinges on delivering peace, justice, and identity over territory. |
| Security | Military strategies alone cannot win popular trust or stem unrest. |
Conclusion
Kashmir’s MP: you want land of Kashmir or people of Kashmir?—this simple yet profound query cuts to the heart of the Kashmir dilemma. Through passionate parliamentary speeches, recent election outcomes, and spiking violence, Kashmir stands at a crossroads between territorial claims and human-centric politics.
Engineer Rashid’s statement is not just rhetoric—it’s a demand for India and regional stakeholders to reevaluate their approach. Will Kashmir be preserved as contested territory? Or will its future reflect the aspirations and dignity of its people?
