Curse be upon us if we fight for power, Centre compelling us to quit politics: Omar

Srinagar: Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah Thursday lashed out at the Government of India over what he called criminalizing dissent and branding those seeking protection of their honour and integrity as anti-nationals.”

Addressing party workers in a function at Nawa-e-Subha, Omar asked the Central government to come clear what they are seeking from them (Kashmir politicians).

“The government is coercing us through various tactics so that we could bid adieu to mainstream politics,” he said adding that the decisions taken by the Government of India since August 5 last year have changed the ground situation.

“At the beginning of last year, we were eyeing on elections and now we have been fighting for our rights,” he said.

Omar also said that the leaders have joined hands to fight together but, unfortunately, those who raise their voices for their identity and other rights are being termed as anti-nationals.

“The government while abrogating the special status claimed that the decision was taken for the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India. However, the fresh decision on land law has put a question mark over the claims,” he said.

“Delhi left no stone unturned to weaken and divide the mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. We (mainstream parties) remained busy in opposing each other till last year. As our voices got weaker, the government succeeded in its plans and snatched our identity.”

“We have joined our hands now. But, I wish this alliance among the mainstream parties would have been forged a couple for years back,” he said, adding that had the alliance been formed a few years back, the situation could have been different.

He said that it was the Central government’s decision last year that forced the unionist parties to join hands.

“Today, I am not counting seats as this fight is not for power. (Laanat ho hum par agar in haalaat mein aaj bhi hum kursi ke liye lad rahe hai’ (Curse be upon us if we fight for power amid this situation).”

He said people will never forget the leaders if they keep eyeing on the Secretariat and power.

About the repealing of land laws, Omar said nobody can buy land in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and many other States of the country but here in Jammu and Kashmir, the rich have been given land to throw people of J&K out.

“Amid this situation, they are expecting silence from us which is not possible. We will fight and are not ready to lose it. I don’t know how long this fight will continue but will fight it tooth and nail,” he said.

“We are being tagged as anti-national for fighting for our rights. I must recall the role played by Maqbool Sherwani, who played a pivotal role in 1947 under this (NC) flag.”

Omar also said that whatever has been snatched from J&K people, was mentioned in the Constitution. “It was Maharaja Hari Singh who granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and the government has demolished the Constitution but those who are fighting for constitutional rights are being tagged as anti-nationals.”

“In Nagaland, leaders have clearly rejected the Indian Constitution, flag and sovereignty, but despite this, talks are being held with them. But when people in Jammu and Kashmir raise voice for their identity, land and other rights, you tag them as anti-nationals,” he said. KNO