Omar asks leaders not to use condolence visits for politics, expresses concern over Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike
Srinagar : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the National Conference’s July 20 programme in New Delhi will go ahead as planned, asserting that while the venue or mode of the proposed protest may change, the party’s decision to travel to the national capital and raise its voice in Delhi will remain unchanged.
He also urged political leaders not to use condolence visits as a platform for politics and expressed concern over the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Talking to reporters Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that National Conference (NC) will not abandon its planned July 20 Delhi programme, despite a potential shift in venue or manner.
“The venue may change, the manner may change, but our plan to go to Delhi will not change. We will not carry out this programme secretly in some corner. We will go to Delhi and raise our voice there,” he said.
When asked if other upcoming political events were meant to sabotage or divert from the protest, Abdullah declined to label them as such, reiterating that the NC would proceed regardless of the circumstances.
“If we wanted to hold the programme secretly, we could have done it in the courtyard of our own home. We will go to Delhi and, one way or another, raise our voice there. After that, we will decide the future course of action,” he said.
Referring to the recent passing of his uncle, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, the CM urged political leaders to keep grief separate from politics and avoid using condolence visits for political messaging.
“We are here to receive people who have come to offer condolences. There should be a pause in politics at such a time. It feels strange when people express sympathy inside the house and then step outside to make political statements,” he said.
He added: “If you want to do politics, then don’t come to offer condolences. Come only to express sympathy. Don’t come to the house of a grieving family and then do politics outside its gate. I will not discuss politics during this mourning period,” he said.
Responding to activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 19-day hunger strike in New Delhi, Omar expressed deep concern over his deteriorating health and criticized the government’s lack of engagement.
“It is surprising that he has been on a hunger strike for 19 days and has reportedly lost around nine kg, yet the government has made no effort to initiate a dialogue or even appeal to him to end the fast. His health has been affected, but no one has even tried to speak to him,” he said.
Stressing that compassion should transcend political divides, the CM compared the current situation to the past response received by social activist Anna Hazare.
“Politics has its place, but humanity and compassion should come first. During Anna Hazare’s hunger strike, the government led by Dr Manmohan Singh sent ministers to hold talks and persuade him to end the fast. But no one has even tried to speak to Sonam Wangchuk. We do not know what the government will do next, but we are concerned about his health,” he said.
Finally, when asked if the NC supports those seeking justice, Abdullah affirmed that their demands deserve attention.
“Many people have gone there. They are asking for justice. There is nothing wrong with demanding justice. It is the right thing to do. I do not understand why the government is not paying attention to these issues,” he said.
