Rejects Sunil Sharma’s resignation demand, questions corruption allegations
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday accused the police and administration of adopting “different standards” while dealing with protests by the BJP and the National Conference, alleging that BJP workers were facilitated while NC protesters were subjected to force.
Omar was speaking to reporters after police stopped an NC protest march towards the BJP headquarters in Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. NC leaders and workers had gathered near the Gindun Sports Complex in Rajbagh to press for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief minister alleged that the contrast was evident in the manner in which the two protests were handled.
“You saw how the BJP was allowed to protest, but the NC was not. One side was facilitated, the other was brutally repressed,” CM Omar said, claiming that several of his party colleagues were dragged and injured during the police action and some required medical treatment.
The BJP had also staged a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday against what it termed the “failure” of the J&K government. Hundreds of party workers assembled near the Clock Tower in Lal Chowk and attempted to march towards the Civil Secretariat.
Police intercepted the BJP protesters near Hari Singh High Street and prevented them from proceeding towards the Secretariat.
Referring to media coverage of the BJP protest, CM Abdullah said journalists were able to interact freely with Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and other BJP leaders during the march.
He alleged that the police response to the two demonstrations reflected a broader imbalance in the administration’s handling of political activity.
On Sharma’s demand for his resignation, CM Omar rejected the call and said he had no reason to step down.
CM Omar said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had given the National Conference a five-year mandate and that his government would face the electorate with its report card at the end of its term.
“If they truly intend to tear the Constitution to shreds, disrespect the Supreme Court, disrespect Parliament and prove Modi’s promise as false, let them do so. I am not going to resign just to please the LoP,” he said.
Responding to allegations of corruption and backdoor appointments made by the BJP, Abdullah questioned the extent of his government’s control over investigative agencies.
He said the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Crime Branch and CID were not under his direct control and asked the BJP to identify any FIR or investigation conducted into the alleged irregularities.
“Tell us, where was an FIR filed?” Abdullah asked, while rejecting the allegations as baseless.
The chief minister also accused the BJP of protesting against the government over issues arising from decisions taken before the present administration assumed office.
“We are bearing the brunt of their mistakes; we are trying to fix them, yet they are the ones protesting,” he said.
Asked about RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks that Muslims cannot be downgraded, Abdullah said such statements needed to be reflected in practice.
“Making a statement is one thing; putting it into practice is another,” he said, adding that the remarks would carry greater significance if reflected on the ground.
CM Omar also commented on the Supreme Court’s decision to quash FIRs registered against students who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests between July 20 and 25.
He said the BJP had been “on the back foot” since the protests led by the group and Generation Z.
