Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 30: National Conference (NC) chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq today accused the BJP of hurting public sentiments by removing significant dates like the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Sheikh Abdullah and Martyrs’ Day from the official public holiday list.
Speaking to reporters, Sadiq described the omission of these historically significant dates from the holiday list released last evening as a temporary setback and an attempt to undermine the region’s historical identity.
“The BJP continues to hurt the sentiments of the people here. Even today, they are interfering in the functioning of an elected Government by creating hurdles. This is a minor setback, but we are hopeful, God willing, to restore these holidays soon,” Sadiq said.
He added that the NC is committed to reversing the decision and continuing its struggle for statehood. “God willing, once statehood is restored, not only will these holidays be reinstated, but we will also make other decisions in the interest of the people,” Sadiq said.
Defending Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent remarks on electricity metering, Sadiq clarified, “If 200 free units of electricity are to be provided, meters must first be installed. This is a necessary step to ensure fair distribution as promised by Omar Abdullah,” he said.
Sadiq noted improvements in the power supply, attributing it to measures taken by the administration. “Despite challenges like snow, 95% of the power supply was restored within 24 hours under Omar Abdullah’s leadership, with additional 300 megawatts ensuring further stability.”
Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also termed the administration’s decision an attempt to distort history.
“Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was a towering personality, and his contributions to the freedom struggle and empowerment of the people of J-K cannot be ignored. The empowerment of people we see today came through decisions like ‘land-to-tiller’ without compensation, education for all, and empowerment of women, which resulted from that movement,” Tarigami said.
“To downgrade such a towering personality is a distortion of history,” he added in a post on X.
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