SRINAGAR, Aug 15: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma on Saturday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Independence Day speech, calling it “irresponsible” and accusing him of attempting to create confusion in the Valley.
Reacting to Omar’s address at Bakshi Stadium, Sharma said the Independence Day platform should be used to highlight national unity, integrity and sovereignty, and pay tribute to soldiers and martyrs.
He said the Chief Minister should have spoken about his government’s performance and future plans, but alleged that these issues were missing from his speech.
Sharma, a BJP MLA from Padder-Nagseni, also rejected Omar’s criticism of the Centre’s 2019 decisions, claiming that the federal structure had been strengthened after the abrogation of Article 370.
“Parliament, the biggest temple of democracy, abrogated Article 370 and the Supreme Court upheld it,” Sharma said, alleging that Omar’s remarks could create an atmosphere of confusion in Kashmir.
However, Sharma welcomed Omar’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India and said people living across the Line of Control were also considered part of the country.
He said Independence Day was an occasion to remember freedom fighters and martyrs, naming Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and Subhas Chandra Bose among those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Sharma also welcomed the singing of Vande Mataram at Bakshi Stadium, describing it as a historic moment and a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the security of Jammu and Kashmir.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for opposition support to amend the Constitution for women’s reservation, Sharma said the proposal was aimed at empowering women and would be important ahead of the 2029 elections.
Reacting to reports of terror threat letters issued to Kashmiri Pandit employees, Sharma said attempts to target the community were part of Pakistan’s continued efforts to create instability. He claimed that security forces had significantly improved the situation in Jammu and Kashmir but warned that cross-border attempts to target Kashmiri Pandits continued.
