Waqar Manzoor
Srinagar, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday strongly condemned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for touching a Muslim woman’s hijab, describing the act as “unacceptable” and reflective of a “regressive mindset.”
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said such incidents undermine the dignity of women and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Drawing a parallel with a past incident, he recalled the removal of a voter’s burqa during an earlier election, terming both episodes as manifestations of the same troubling mindset.
“We have witnessed such incidents before. During my election, a legitimate voter’s burqa was removed inside a polling station. That was unfortunate, and what has happened now is equally shameful,” he said.
CM Omar asserted that public humiliation of a woman is completely wrong. “If the Chief Minister did not wish to hand over the appointment letter personally, he could have stepped aside. Humiliating someone in public is inexcusable. The reality of Nitish Kumar, once perceived as a secular and sensible leader, is gradually coming to light,” he added.
Responding to remarks by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on fiscal discipline, the Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir continues to operate under inherited financial constraints.
“We are managing the system with what we have inherited. Jammu and Kashmir is not financially self-reliant and remains dependent on the Government of India. Earlier, as a state, we received a share of central taxes, but after becoming a Union Territory, that has stopped, putting additional pressure on our budget,” he said.
CM Omar emphasized that his government has maintained financial responsibility despite challenges. “In the past 15 to 16 months, there has been no financial negligence. If anyone can point to even a single instance of misuse of public funds, I am ready to be held accountable,” he asserted.
