On March 6, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude towards the BJP-led government, urging them to not only reclaim Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) but also the portion of the Union Territory (UT) currently under illegal Chinese occupation.
He criticized BJP leaders for accusing the National Conference (NC) of disrespecting Jammu and Kashmir’s last ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, and challenged them to provide one instance where the NC or any other regional party insulted the Dogra ruler, especially as the BJP continues to fragment and diminish his Muslim-majority state.
“The foreign minister (S. Jaishankar) claims we will retrieve the portion of J&K under Pakistani control. Who is stopping them? Have we ever said not to recover it?” Abdullah stated, concluding his comments during a discussion on the motion of thanks to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s address in the Assembly.
Jaishankar had mentioned during a session at the Chatham House think-tank in London that the Kashmir dispute would meet its resolution with the “recovery of the part of Kashmir that is under illegal Pakistani occupation”.
He remarked on the allegations made by BJP members in the House, noting that Congress was criticized for leaving Haji Peer in the Uri sector in Pakistan.
“During the Kargil war, we had an opportunity to reclaim PoK because Pakistan initiated hostilities. If you were so inclined, why did you not secure that area? Furthermore, part of Jammu and Kashmir lies with China, yet that is conveniently ignored,” he pointed out.
Abdullah insisted that if the BJP-led government succeeds in bringing back PoK, they should also reclaim the section of J&K currently in China, and “we would appreciate that”.
In response to J&K Assembly Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma’s accusations of disrespecting the Maharaja, Abdullah challenged the opposition to present a single instance of insult towards the last Dogra ruler by the NC, PDP, or Congress.
“You have altered the Maharaja’s map by detaching Ladakh from J&K and abolishing laws designed to protect the people’s jobs and lands,” he criticized.
He added that the BJP justifies this separation as a long-standing demand from Ladakhi people, questioning, “Have you consulted them? Have you made any effort to find out?” He emphasized that opposition to this decision has been strong from the inception among the people of Kargil. The Buddhists in Ladakh, who previously expressed glee, now believe they were more secure as part of J&K, even walking from Leh to Delhi to reclaim their rights.
Abdullah highlighted that Himachal Pradesh has better provisions for local employment, requiring 70% of jobs in new industries or hotels to be reserved for local residents.
He also took a jab at the Leader of Opposition for his “offensive comments” regarding the martyrs of July 13, 1931. He asserted that despite differing political beliefs, they deserve recognition for defying autocracy, which ultimately contributed to the formation of the Assembly.
July 13 is commemorated in Jammu and Kashmir as a public holiday in memory of the 22 individuals who were killed by Dogra Maharaja’s forces outside the central jail in Srinagar in 1931. The holiday, alongside the December 5 observance for NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was eliminated by the Lt Governor administration post the abrogation of Article 370.
“Their only transgression was their faith. In the rest of the nation, those who stood against autocracy are held in esteem, and none can label them as traitors,” he stated.
Abdullah mentioned that regardless of whether July 13 and December 5 are reinstated as holidays, the people’s respect for them remains unwavering.
He recalled contemplating a reduction in holidays during his last term as chief minister, including December 5 on his list.
“We have never diminished the legacy of the Maharaja. Have we renamed any institution that bore the name of the Dogra rulers?” he added. (Agencies)
