Ganderbal, Sep 12 (KNO): National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday joined the ongoing protest by veterinary intern doctors at the SKUAST-Kashmir Shuhama campus in Ganderbal and urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to immediately engage with the protesting students and address their long-pending demands.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the veterinary interns have been protesting for the past six days over their monthly stipend, which they said has remained at ₹6,000 since 2011. They are demanding an increase in the stipend to ₹23,000, saying the existing amount is inadequate to meet basic expenses and does not correspond with the responsibilities and professional requirements of veterinary interns.
Talking to reporters during his visit to the protesting interns, Ruhullah appealed to the government and Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar to intervene and initiate dialogue with the protesters.
He said the interns have been raising their concerns for several months and that the issue could be resolved through meaningful engagement.
Ruhullah said the ongoing protests by veterinarians, medical interns, NHM workers and students reflected the need for greater accountability and responsiveness from the administration.
He said an elected government must listen to people’s concerns and provide protesting students and professionals with a sense of belonging and confidence rather than treating their demands as a threat or revolt.
On the stipend issue, he said ₹6,000 was inadequate for veterinary professionals who spend years studying and investing in their education. He pointed out that veterinary interns in some other states receive stipends of more than ₹20,000.
He appealed to Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar to meet the protesting veterinarians and find common ground on their demand, saying the issue involved around 100–150 young veterinarians and could be resolved through dialogue.
Ruhullah also called for the concerns of medical interns to be addressed within the one-month timeframe given to them, while urging the government to keep students informed about the status of the reservation-related file and engage with them before they are compelled to resume protests.
He said the purpose of electing a government in 2024 was to have an accountable administration that listens to the people and responds to their aspirations.
'LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT CONVICTION'
Meanwhile, commenting on leadership and political developments, Ruhullah said leadership was about conviction and taking principled stands, asserting that a person who changes his position under pressure could not be relied upon.
“Leadership is about taking principled stands. Leadership is about conviction. If a person can be pressured into changing his decision, obviously such a person cannot be considered a leader and one cannot rely on him,” he said.
Ruhullah said he was personally aware of the developments and maintained that there had been no major pressure from the party on the concerned person to change his decision.
He also commented on remarks made by MP, Mian Altaf Ahmad, saying he respected him and would not interpret his statements on his behalf, adding that Mian Altaf should explain his position himself.
Referring to his earlier remarks about a political “match”, Ruhullah said, “After November 3, you will know which match I am talking about.”
On his future political course, Ruhullah said any decision regarding the formation of a political party or future political strategy would be taken collectively after consultations with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth.
“First, allow me to free myself from some chains on November 3. Let me break those chains and free myself. After that, whatever decision is taken after sitting with all of you and with these young people will be a collective decision,” he said.
However, Ruhullah said political issues were secondary at present and urged the media to focus on the demands of the protesting veterinarians.
“I am not important. My person is not important. Their issue is important at this moment,” he said.
He said he would wait for a day or two for the Agriculture Department and higher authorities to engage with the protesting veterinarians and resolve their concerns.
Ruhullah said that if the government failed to engage with the protesting interns within the next few days, he would again join them and seek wider support to amplify their concerns.
He reiterated that the demands of students and young professionals should be addressed through dialogue and that the government must remain responsive to their genuine grievances—(KNO)