Jammu, Mar 20 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed dismay over Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma’s repeated use of the term ‘Jihad’ in political discourse, urging legislators to avoid making statements that could hurt religious sentiments.
Talking to reporters in response to LoP Sharma’s accusation that the National Conference was launching a "legislative Jihad," Omar, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) criticized the opposition leader’s rhetoric. “The LoP uses the word ‘Jihad’ in every statement… again and again. Then he becomes angry if some member talks about his religion,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that political leaders must be mindful of their words, ensuring that no community feels targeted or offended. “It is better that no such statement is made which hurts the religious sentiments of any community,” he said.
Omar said, “BJP members became visibly upset when a legislator made a remark they deemed offensive. Everyone has religious sentiments… Today, you saw BJP members becoming very angry when one member said something that was not in good taste. I believe that a member should not have made such remarks,” he said, urging restraint from all sides.
The Chief Minister further questioned LoP Sharma’s repeated use of the term ‘Jihad’ in a political context, saying, “What does the LoP want to prove? That Muslims don’t know anything except Jihad?”
Asked about LoP Sharma’s statement on providing land to outsiders in J&K, the Chief Minister said that let him (LoP Sharma) settle them in his own home. “Let him settle them in Paddar. I don’t have any objections,” Omar said, as per KNO.
Furthermore, he expressed sympathies with the bereaved family of former Gurez legislator, Faqeer Khan, who shot himself dead at his official residence in Srinagar.
About the protest against the order to vacate 14 shops in Satwari, he said, “Deputy Chief Minister has sent his advisors and team to look into the matter. The people should not find themselves alienated. Their issues will be resolved. Everyone will; be heard,” he said—(KNO)