SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma on Saturday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Independence Day speech, terming it “irresponsible” and alleging that it could create “an atmosphere of confusion” in Kashmir.
Sharma said the Independence Day platform should have been used to highlight national unity, pay tribute to soldiers and martyrs and celebrate the Tricolour rather than raise political and constitutional issues.
Reacting to Abdullah’s address at the 80th Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Sharma said the Chief Minister should have spoken about the performance of his government and its future plans.
“The Chief Minister’s speech was a bit regrettable. This is not a political stage. From this stage, there should be a speech for the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country, a tribute to the soldiers and martyrs, and especially for the pride and honour of the Tricolour,” Sharma said.
The BJP MLA from Padder-Nagseni alleged that Abdullah was attempting to question the strength of the country’s federal structure by referring to constitutional safeguards that were revoked in 2019.
“I would like to tell the Chief Minister that it was after August 5, 2019, that this federal structure was strengthened,” Sharma said, adding that the change had also contributed to a different atmosphere in Kashmir.
He said people, particularly unemployed youth, had expected the Chief Minister to announce measures for them on Independence Day.
“I am very hurt by this because today the people, especially the unemployed youth, had hoped that he would say something big for them and for all sections,” he said.
Referring to Abdullah’s remarks on the constitutional changes made after 2019, Sharma said the issue had already been settled through Parliament and the Supreme Court.
“Parliament, the biggest temple of democracy, abrogated Article 370. The Supreme Court declared it legitimate. Now, what does he want to show from this stage? He wants to create an atmosphere of confusion in Kashmir again, which is unfortunate,” he said.
Sharma, however, welcomed Abdullah’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, saying the region was an integral part of the country.
“The whole of India accepts that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of it. People here are a strength and power of this country,” he said.
He also said people living across the Line of Control were considered part of Jammu and Kashmir, referring to them as people under “illegal occupation”.
During his Independence Day address, Abdullah had referred to the ongoing situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying it vindicated the decision of National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and his colleagues to oppose the Pakistan-backed tribal invasion of 1947.
Sharma also welcomed the singing of **Vande Mataram** at Bakshi Stadium, describing it as a significant moment in Kashmir’s history.
“Today, Vande Mataram was hummed in this historic ground of Bakshi Stadium. Everyone stood in respect and hummed it. I think this happened for the first time in the history of Kashmir,” he said.
He described the occasion as a tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives for the country and congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharma also supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for opposition parties to back constitutional changes related to women’s reservation, saying the measure was important ahead of the 2029 elections.
He said greater representation of women would strengthen their participation in the country’s political and legislative system.
On threat letters reportedly received by Kashmiri Pandit employees, Sharma said attempts to target the community continued as part of what he described as an “indirect, undeclared war” from across the border.
He claimed that the security situation had improved considerably but alleged that Pakistan and militant organisations were attempting to target Kashmiri Pandits, particularly over their efforts to reclaim properties, jobs and resettle in Kashmir.
“Their elements, still present here in the form of a structure and framework, are trying. But they will fail, given the anti-terrorism policy of the Indian government and the Home Ministry,” Sharma said.
