Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 29: People Democratic Party (PDP) today protested against the Government’s order to turn Jammu and Kashmir Bank into Public Sector Undertaking and demanded its revocation.
Scores of PDP leaders and activists led by former Works Minister Naeem Akhtar tried to march towards Lal Chowk from its party headquarters here. However, police foiled their attempt by stopping them at Polo View here.
The protesting leaders and workers raised slogans in support of their demands. They were carrying banners and placards that read ‘J&K Bank Hamara Hai’, and ‘Roll Back Roll Back SAC Decision Roll Back’ and ‘Do Not Snatch Our Identity’.
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While taking to reporters Akhter termed the decision as an assault on the economy of the State and urged the Governor to revoke the order. “We won’t relent until the order is taken back,” he said.
He alleged that the decision has been taken to end the autonomy of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. “It is an attack on the livelihood of thousands of employees and the economy of the State,” he said.
Demanding an unqualified apology from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for dragging the name of Hazrat Ali (R.A) into the electoral mudslinging, Akhter urged country’s political parties to desist from using religion and religious personalities for political ends.
Akhtar said that the main major parties instead of talking about governance and issues pertaining to development, convey an impression through their speeches and wide media coverage that Muslims are the only problem facing this country. “It is unfortunate that at the time when unprecedented upsurge is being witnessed in unemployment and jobless, religion is taking a centre stage in the country and Muslims have been turned into punching bags,” he said.
Akhtar reiterated that the entire political spectrum of India cannot wish away the 20 crore Muslims from the country. “You have to learn to live with them and grant them the dignity that they deserve and desist from making them as part of your electoral strategy,” Akhtar said.