NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday responded sharply to criticism over his recent interaction with Union ministers, particularly his stroll with minister Kiren Rijiju at Srinagar's Tulip Garden by Dal Lake.
The backlash from Valley leaders comes after the passage of contentious Waqf Amendment Act in Parliament.
In his remarks, Abdullah clarified the encounter, saying, “It is right that two days ago, I took my father to the Tulip Garden. It is a coincidence that a Union Minister was present there at the moment. We greeted each other. He wanted to get a picture with me, how could I refuse?”
Dismissing the criticism as politically motivated, he added, “Now, those who gave BJP an entry into J&K are trying to use that against me. Those who have not apologised to the people of J&K for what happened in 2016, should first take a look into their own actions and the price J&K had to pay for their alliance with the BJP.”
His comments come as leaders like PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti accused Abdullah of legitimising the Centre’s unilateral decisions. “The chief minister’s actions not only deepened the sense of alienation and helplessness within the Muslim community but also lent legitimacy to this unilateral decision widely perceived as dismissive of their interests,” she said, urging the assembly to pass a resolution rejecting the bill.
"The drama created by the ruling party in the assembly from the last three days, and what we saw in the Tulip Garden, is shameful. The BJP is attacking the Muslims of the country left, right, and centre. By welcoming and entertaining Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, the CM has sent a message to all Muslims of the country that J&K government supports Waqf Amendment," Mufti said later to ANI news agency.
Echoing her, People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone said Abdullah should have distanced himself from Rijiju as a symbolic protest. “There was no need to meet him. It sends a very wrong message,” Lone said.
During his Kashmir visit, Rijiju also met NC president Farooq Abdullah , while Omar Abdullah welcomed Union home minister Amit Shah for a high-level meeting in Srinagar.
The backlash from Valley leaders comes after the passage of contentious Waqf Amendment Act in Parliament.
In his remarks, Abdullah clarified the encounter, saying, “It is right that two days ago, I took my father to the Tulip Garden. It is a coincidence that a Union Minister was present there at the moment. We greeted each other. He wanted to get a picture with me, how could I refuse?”
Dismissing the criticism as politically motivated, he added, “Now, those who gave BJP an entry into J&K are trying to use that against me. Those who have not apologised to the people of J&K for what happened in 2016, should first take a look into their own actions and the price J&K had to pay for their alliance with the BJP.”
His comments come as leaders like PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti accused Abdullah of legitimising the Centre’s unilateral decisions. “The chief minister’s actions not only deepened the sense of alienation and helplessness within the Muslim community but also lent legitimacy to this unilateral decision widely perceived as dismissive of their interests,” she said, urging the assembly to pass a resolution rejecting the bill.
"The drama created by the ruling party in the assembly from the last three days, and what we saw in the Tulip Garden, is shameful. The BJP is attacking the Muslims of the country left, right, and centre. By welcoming and entertaining Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, the CM has sent a message to all Muslims of the country that J&K government supports Waqf Amendment," Mufti said later to ANI news agency.
Echoing her, People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone said Abdullah should have distanced himself from Rijiju as a symbolic protest. “There was no need to meet him. It sends a very wrong message,” Lone said.
During his Kashmir visit, Rijiju also met NC president Farooq Abdullah , while Omar Abdullah welcomed Union home minister Amit Shah for a high-level meeting in Srinagar.
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