In an explosive interview given to Navika Kumar of the Indian local media, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah stated that the union of India should keep its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir were promised a framework which was removed and I’m yet to meet someone who has been able to justify that beyond the political agenda,” Omar commented.
Additionally, he also questioned the current government’s decision to implement Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Please tell me how Jammu and Kashmir have benefitted in the last two years from what was done on the fifth of August. Where were we lacking that fifth of August was so necessary?”
Read more: India wants to pressurise UN to accept that Kashmir is an internal dispute
When the journalist compared the budget for Uttar Pradesh with that of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar heatedly replied that India should take away the budget if that’s what’s bothering them because Kashmir is far developed.
The journalist further probed saying that “you have been in the government, how much development was done during that time?”
To this Abdullah replied “I’m willing to accept that we all have been incompetent. Please tell me what has changed in the last two years?
“Everything that is being inaugurated from roads to tunnels, powerhouses, hospitals, schools, colleges, and even universities were all given in the previous government.
Powerful interview given by my leader jb @OmarAbdullah sahab on times now regarding the loopholes and failure of the present #government in terms of the development & the present scenario in jammu & kashmir…best wishes & more power to you sir👍@JKNC_ @YNCJK @SaraHayatShah pic.twitter.com/hy1KXfyppD
— Ajaz Jan (@ajazjan) August 3, 2021
Jammu and Kashmir are amongst the lowest states in poverty. In terms of human development, we rank higher than your fancy states like Gujrat and Andhra Pradesh.”
He went on to list facts and figures of the achievements made by the previous governments to prove his point.
The video of the interview has been making rounds on social media with the hashtag #OmarSpeaksForJK where people have been lauding Omar’s straightforward replies to Navika.
Have never seen Navika so confused and struggling to sound rational while playing the tune of 'you know which media'. @OmarAbdullah sb has questioned her questions and she seems to have no answers #OmarSpeaksforJK
— Imran Nabi Dar (@ImranNDar) August 2, 2021
In 2 minutes & 18 seconds, former CM of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, completely demolishes Hindutva argument against Art 370!#OmarSpeaksForJK pic.twitter.com/jMPhdu2JTw
— Tejash Vachhani (@Tejashvachhani_) August 3, 2021
Right in @TimesNow studio @OmarAbdullah showing mirror to the BJP Spokesperson. Nothing goes off the record. Time will come when generations will curse the current regime for brutal murder of democracy. You messed with a wrong guy Navika. #OmarSpeaksForJK pic.twitter.com/7rGw5DEprO
— Umesh Talashi (@UTalashi) August 2, 2021
The incumbent government of Jammu and Kashmir has hit back on Omar’s claim stating that many projects were left failing and the government had to start from scratch. The government is trying its best to benefit the people from the schemes that were left languished by the previous governments, it claimed.
CID denies access to passports
CID wing of India has denied the security clearance required for passports and other government services to all those involved in any kind of pro-freedom activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Read more: Honoring the Kashmiris’ undefeatable fighting spirit
Speaking on the issue, Omar Abdullah said that an adverse police report cannot be a substitute for being found guilty in a court of law.
An “adverse police report” can not be a substitute for being found guilty in a court of law. A year and a half ago J&K police were able to create an ‘adverse police report’ to justify my detention under the Public Safety Act that would never have stood up to legal challenge. https://t.co/d9SIxoJe14
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 1, 2021
He further said “They did the same with scores of others, many of whom had these police reports tossed out by the courts. An executive order cannot replace a court of law. Guilt or innocence must be proven in court & not based of vague unproven police reports.”
Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) Tweeted: Omar Abdullah says Jammu Kashmir has one of the lowest poverty ratios in the country – if that is true (and let’s accept it ) – then the stone pelters there are not motivated by lack of jobs or money- it’s purely an Islamist separatist ideology.
https://twitter.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/1422467339304325128