Neha
JAMMU, Sept 19: On Wednesday, NC working president and J&K CM Omar Abdullah said that his outfit lives in the minds and hearts of people and asserted that the "NC is the torch bearer of amity, brotherhood, solidarity, peace and inclusive development of all the regions and sub-regions of the State". He made these highly questionable assertions while addressing the office bearers of NC Anantnag District, and added that "You represent public aspirations, you are the legacy holders of the high principles preached and nurtured by Baba-i-Qoum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, you are the hope of people and your party NC symbolizes the State's secular democratic credentials".
Which people he talked about? Certainly, not about the people of Jammu province, barring a few disgruntled elements here and there. The people of Jammu province hate the NC and its ideology from the core of their heart; they also hate the socio-cultural and politico-economic policies of the NC, as they are not just Kashmir-centric but also one-sect-centric. It's no wonder that the people of Jammu province have rendered the NC ineffective and unreal in their region for all practical purposes. Similarly, certainly, not about the people of Ladakh region, barring a few elements here and there. The people of Ladakh, like the people of Jammu province, hate and despise the NC and its regressive ideology and perverted secularism and democracy. It's no wonder that while the people of Leh district have been demanding separation from Kashmir and seeking for their region UT status since decades, the people of Kargil only on August 22 defeated the NC in the elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil. The NC, which had won 18 seats in 2008, could win only 8 seats and lost control over the important institution.
Besides, he has also no right to speak for the religious and ethnic minorities in the Kashmir valley, including Shiite Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. It was the evil impact of the NC's ideology on the Kashmiri society and polity that forced the Kashmiri Hindus to quit Kashmir and it is the same impact that has made the Sikh community in Kashmir to threatened from time to time their migration from the Valley to escape from secularism, NC-style. The Shiite Muslims, too, have not been feeling comfortable with the NC for obvious reasons.
Yes, the NC lives in the minds and hearts of those in Kashmir who hate India and the Indian Constitution and want to give a particular type of orientation to the polity. These are the ground realities and Omar Abdullah and his colleagues would do well to appreciate them and stop airing views which irritate the people of Jammu province and Ladakh region and religious and ethnic minorities across the state. |
