Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 30: Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta today strongly criticized the National Conference’s demand for the restoration of the holiday on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
In a statement issued here today, the BJP leader pointed out the gross discrimination that several communities, including Gorkhas, Valmikis and refugees had faced under the successive regimes of the National Conference over the past 65 years.
He said, “These marginalized groups were deprived of basic rights and opportunities, particularly under the guise of Article 370, which kept them from enjoying equal privileges afforded to the rest of the country. Even their own community people like Gujjars and Paharis were also neglected and sidelined by the NC leadership.”
Kavinder asserted that with the abrogation of Article 370 under PM Modi’s leadership, every section of society in Jammu and Kashmir was now entitled to equal rights, ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of caste, colour or religion could avail themselves of the same benefits and opportunities as other citizens across the country.
“Sheikh Abdullah’s actions had separated Jammu and Kashmir from the rest of India, leading the people into decades of backwardness,” he said and asserted that when Sardar Patel had successfully integrated 562 princely states into the Indian Union, why was the fate of Jammu and Kashmir decided solely by Jawaharlal Nehru, resulting in several communities being deprived of their rightful due.
He criticized Sheikh Abdullah for prioritizing his personal and political interests over the welfare of the people, leading to decades of discrimination and backwardness in the region.
Kavinder advised the newly formed NC government to focus on addressing the pressing concerns of the common people, including employment, healthcare and infrastructure, rather than resurrecting outdated symbolic gestures.
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