March 4th 2025.
Jammu: The state Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a heated exchange between lawmakers from the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to a verbal skirmish. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stepped in to ease the tension, stating that it is unfair to compare the two divided parts of Kashmir. He emphasized that the situation across the border is extremely dire, despite China's support to Pakistan.
Abdullah also pointed out that every part of Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress, without seeking assistance from other countries like China, America, England, or France to build roads. This statement was made in response to former minister Saifullah Mir's comment about the infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) being better than that on the Indian side. Mir had also advocated for the construction of a tunnel to connect border areas in the Kupwara district.
BJP's R S Pathania objected to Mir's comparison of the two sides, while NC MLA Nazir Gurezi and Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone came to Mir's defense. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who had maintained order during the session, later expressed his disapproval of Mir's statement and asked for clarification from Abdullah.
Pathania, while speaking to reporters outside the assembly, criticized Mir's remarks and called them concerning and condemnable. He also questioned Abdullah's stance on the matter, considering India's strained diplomatic relationship with Pakistan and China's support for separatism and terrorism in India.
During a discussion on the Lt Governor's address, BJP member Sham Lal Sharma referred to Mir as a "traitor," which led to Mir rising from his seat to question Pathania. Mir clarified that his intention was not to compare the two parts of Kashmir and defended the National Conference, stating that the party has made numerous sacrifices for the country.
Gurezi also stood up in defense of Mir, stating that there is nothing wrong with appreciating someone's coat, just like how someone might comment on Gurezi's coat. This led to chaos in the assembly, and Abdullah urged members to take their seats and maintain order.
Abdullah then stated that China's involvement in the development of border areas is merely for show and that the progress made there is not on their own accord. He also highlighted the lack of progress in other areas, while also acknowledging that every part of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed development, despite not receiving coats like the ones given to people across the border.
He lightened the mood in the assembly by pointing out that the coats given to people across the border have empty pockets, drawing laughter from the members. Abdullah emphasized that the focus should be on development and improvement for the welfare of the people, rather than getting caught up in unnecessary arguments.
Sharma, before resuming his speech, mentioned party MLA Shagun Parihar, whose father and uncle were killed by terrorists in the Kishtwar district. He stated that terrorist bullets do not differentiate between people, highlighting the ongoing threat faced by the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
PTI
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