“Don’t Mistake Silence for Weakness”: CM Abdullah Calls Emergency Meeting
Srinagar (The Uttam Hindu): An important emergency meeting was held under the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Fairview, Gupkar, the official residence of the Deputy Chief Minister. All the MLAs of the National Conference (NC) and the allies of the ruling coalition attended this meeting. During the meeting, the coalition gave a stern warning to the central government and said that it should not underestimate the broad mandate of the people in Jammu and Kashmir and allow the democratically elected government to work without any interference.
Briefing the media after the meeting, National Conference chief spokesperson and Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat said that several important issues were discussed in today's meeting, the main one being the Wakf Bill passed in Parliament. He said that this bill is against the interests of the Muslims and minorities of the country and the alliance strongly opposes it.
Bhatt further said that the meeting also stressed on respecting the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the NC-led government. He said in clear terms that the Government of India should respect this mandate and any kind of compromise on it will not be acceptable. The MLAs passed resolutions unanimously in this regard.
He warned the central government that it should not mistake our silence and cooperation for weakness. He said, "We are making this appeal for the last time not as a request but as a stern warning. Do not force us and respect the mandate which the Prime Minister and Home Minister always praise."
Strongly condemning the Wakf Amendment Bill, Bhatt said that it was discussed in detail and everyone present in the meeting was of the opinion that this amendment is a direct attack on the Muslims and their religious faith in Jammu and Kashmir.
Congress leader Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said that both long-term and short-term issues were discussed in detail in the meeting. He said that all the MLAs in the government stand firmly with the leader of the House. On sensitive matters like bills, wakf and mandate, everyone is of the opinion that these issues should be resolved through talks with the central government.
It is worth noting that this emergency meeting was called by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to discuss the political and administrative implications of the recent transfers of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly opposed these transfers, terming them 'illegal' and claimed that this action has been taken without the necessary approval from the elected government, leading to a deadlock between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Raj Bhavan.
