- Criticizes Use Of PSA To Detain Individuals Without Trial
- ‘July 13 Martyrs’ Sacrifices Can’t Be Erased’
Jammu- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched a strong attack on the BJP, questioning its claims that the removal of Article 370 was essential for development.
Speaking during the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister demanded that the BJP name a single project that could not have been executed before 2019.
He challenged the opposition to name one development project that could not have been implemented without the removal of Article 370. “Most of the projects you listed were started before 2019. But I won’t get into that debate. I am asking you to name one development-related project that was not possible before the removal of Article 370.,” he said.
Omar also refuted claims that Article 370 was responsible for corruption, nepotism, and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that terrorism has not ceased after the abrogation of Article 370, particularly in Jammu. “If Article 370 alone was responsible for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, then it should have stopped after its removal. But it did not. So, there is more to it,” he said.
Asserting that sacrifices of “July 13 Martyrs” cannot be erased, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, said that late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s stature was not tied to December 5 holiday.
Speaking during the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said, “The sacrifices of the martyrs and the contributions of Sher-e-Kashmir remain indelible in the hearts of the people, regardless of political decisions to remove holidays.”
“The 22 people who sacrificed their lives on July 13, 1931, did so for a voice, for some rights. If what they did was wrong, why did Maharaja Hari Singh take the steps he did after their sacrifice? Why did he set up the Glancy Commission? Why did he announce elections after that commission? Why did the Praja Sabha come into existence, which eventually became the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly?” Omar asked.
He added, “If the sacrifices of those people led to the formation of this Assembly, can’t we at least use respectful words for them? Their only fault was that they were Muslims. Admit that. Because in the rest of the country, where voices were raised against autocracy, no one called them traitors. But here, because they were Muslims and were fighting for democracy, such words come so easily from our mouths.”
Omar also addressed the controversy surrounding the holiday on December 5, marking the birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah. He revealed that during his previous tenure as the Chief Minister, he had considered abolishing the holiday to reduce the number of public holidays in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If you had asked me, I would have willingly given up that holiday. My colleagues may not remember, but when I was Chief Minister last time, I told my colleagues that I wanted to give up the December 5 holiday. Salaria Sahib is a witness. I said there are too many holidays in Jammu and Kashmir, and I want to reduce them. But if I start cutting other holidays, people will say that you kept your grandfather’s holiday and cut the rest. First, remove the Sher-e-Kashmir holiday on December 5, and then we will reduce the other holidays,” Omar said.
He added that Sheikh Abdullah’s stature is not tied to the December 5 holiday. “What he did for Jammu and Kashmir cannot be erased. Whether you observe July 13 as a holiday or not, whether you observe December 5 as a holiday or not, no one can erase the sacrifices of those people from the hearts of the people here,” he said.
The Chief Minister criticized the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) to detain individuals without trial. He argued that if the government has evidence against those detained, they should be prosecuted in court rather than held under preventive detention.
“If you are keeping people in jail for years based solely on the PSA, it means you have no evidence to prosecute them, no case against them. You are simply detaining them under the PSA. If what you say is true—that they are stone-pelters, OGWs (Over Ground Workers), or terrorists—then why do you need preventive detention? Preventive detention is needed when you cannot build a case against someone,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to restoring statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed confidence that all members of the Assembly would support a resolution in favor of statehood if brought to the floor.
“We believe that there is no party or person here who is against statehood. But if Sajad Sahib [Sajad Lone] has doubts that some people are against statehood, bring the resolution. Today, I say that all our members will vote in favor of it,” he said.
‘Some People Trying To Silence Us’
Asserting that nobody can snatch a right from citizens to discuss Article 370, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said some people are trying to “intimidate, threaten and silence us” but his party will continue its fight for the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Winding up the discussion on motion of thanks to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s address, Abdullah said the dignity of J&K has gone with the downgrading of the erstwhile state into the Union Territory.
“…I am not fighting for statehood for my own self, this fight is in the interest of J&K. The things which we want to do can be given the practical shape only when we get back to statehood. The things which we want back and the things which need to be changed,” the chief minister said.
Referring to Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone’s demand that a resolution should have been passed in the House for restoration of statehood instead of passing the resolution in the cabinet meeting, he said such a resolution was not deliberately moved in the House considering that every member is supportive of the demand.
“Our dignity has gone with the downgrading of the state (to Union Territory). If you wish to move a resolution on it, please go ahead and we will support you,” he said.
He said the fight for statehood is based on “truth, justice and law” and its restoration will provide relief to the people of J&K.
“We will not backtrack from this fight. At times, some people are trying to intimidate, threaten and silence us but we are not those who will go silent. We will continue our fight for the rights of the people, their dignity, development and brotherhood,” the chief minister said.
However, he did not identify those people who are allegedly threatening National Conference legislators.
Coming down heavily on the speech of Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Abdullah said he (Sharma) is saying that speaking on Article 370 was like wasting the time of the House but the reality is that it was BJP members who talked most about the constitutional provision that granted special status to J&K.
“Do not tell me that the Supreme Court has put its stamp on abrogation of Article 370. Decisions can be reviewed and the government does change but don’t tell me that it (Article 370) will not return.
“We say that it will come back and you live with your hope and we will also live with our hope. Who knows what will happen next,” Abdullah said, adding “you cannot snatch a right to talk on this issue from us”.
‘Will Fulfil All Election Promises’
Omar Abdullah assured people that the National Conference-led government will fulfil all its poll promises including those related to prisoners and “arbitrary” termination of government employees.
He said his government is formed for a full five years, expressing hope that the next budget session of the assembly will be thrown open by the governor instead of the lieutenant governor.
Winding up the discussion on motion of thanks to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s address in the legislative assembly here, Abdullah said a lot was talked about the NC manifesto which “we have prepared with a lot of thought and is our promise to the people of J&K”.
“When we put forth our manifesto before the people we told them that give us five years…we assure the people that we will fulfil all the promises from A to Z, whether related to prisoners or termination of government employees. We are bound to do that,” the chief minister said.
In its manifesto, the National Conference had promised to prioritise the release of political prisoners and youth who have been “unjustly” detained in jails and are not involved in serious crimes besides seeking amnesty for all political prisoners.
The manifesto also talked about ending “unjust” termination of government employees and said “it will address and rectify cases of unjust job terminations, ensuring fair treatment and job security for all employees”.
Referring to some members’ criticism of LG’s address, Abdullah said the LG cannot replace his earlier speech made in the November session shortly after the formation of the government and that it is in addition to that speech.
“Some (members) termed it as a love letter (from NC to BJP)…I do not go into it but want to make it clear that we made new additions and next year I hope that when we will meet (for budget session), there will be a Governor instead of Lt Governor,” he said.
Abdullah also referred to the speech of Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma defending the use of Public Safety Act and said “if you are using PSA then your case is weak…you put me under preventive detention (in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370) for six months because there were no charges against me. But it is better to use relevant sections of law against the stone pelters or overground workers who have been booked under PSA.”
He questioned Sharma for linking Article 370 with development and terrorism and said “whether the developmental projects he spoke about were possible only with the abrogation of Article 370”.
Most of these projects started before 2014, he said and challenged the BJP leader to tell the House about one project which was not possible to be completed under Article 370 status.
Abdullah also questioned the political reservation granted to the Scheduled Tribe community and said the number of Gujjar leaders in the House dropped from nine to six.
“What miracle happened after the abrogation of Article 370? Shakti Raj Parihar (BJP) talked about ending nepotism, corruption and terrorism while the LoP is blaming Pakistan for terrorism. Who is right?
“If Pakistan is behind the terrorism then why blame Article 370…if Article 370 was responsible, then why terrorism spread to the Jammu region after its abrogation, the areas which were declared terrorism-free during my (previous) tenure,” he said.
The attacks on pilgrims in Reasi, civilians in Rajouri and other places in the past few years stand testimony that Article 370 was not responsible for terrorism, he added.
He said the BJP members raised the issue of the fraud in Jal Jeevan Mission showing that the corruption has not ended.
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