Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday advised the members of the Assembly to avoid making comments on religious affairs that hurt people’s sentiments.
Talking to reporters outside the Assembly here, Abdullah also said that nobody should feel that they are not heard in this government. He also expressed confidence in resolving the issue of 39 shopkeepers who have been served notice to pave way for construction of a flyover at Satwari Chowk here.
“They are using the word Jihad (holy war) in everything but they get angry when any other member speaks about their religion. It is better to avoid talking about something which hurts the religious feelings of others,” the chief minister said.
He was responding to a question about senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma using the term “legislative Jihad” to provide protection to alleged illegal encroachers during his speech.
“Every individual has a religious feeling and the BJP leaders were angry (in the House) because one member probably made some wrong statement which he should not have done. But what LoP wants to convey by using the word ‘Jihad’ repeatedly is that Muslims do not know anything except Jihad. This is also wrong,” Abdullah said.
The Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Thursday when several BJP members repeatedly charged towards the treasury benches to take on AAP legislator Mehraj Malik, accusing him of using derogatory words against Hindus and also disrupting the speeches of the opposition members in the House.
Malik said his remarks that some Hindus consume liquor during their parties and festivals were taken out of proportion as he was trying to condemn the opening of more liquor shops in the city over the past five years.
On LoP’s remarks that people from Haryana are welcome in J&K, the chief minister said he had no objection if he settled them at his home in Kishtwar.
On the alleged suicide by BJP leader and former independent MLA from Gurez, Faqeer Mohammad Khan in Srinagar, the chief minister termed it as “very unfortunate” and said they do not know what led him to take such an extreme step.
“I informed the House about this (incident). He probably used the rifle of his PSO (personal security officer). Along with his family, I condole his death and pray for his soul. We do not know what led him to take such an extreme step but we have full sympathy with them,” Abdullah said.
BJP seeks apology over AAP MLA’s remarks in Assembly
BJP on Thursday sought an apology from AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, alleging that he made objectionable remarks against a particular religion, triggering ruckus in the House. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that he will check records to verify whether he has hurt religious sentiments.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Malik said, “They will not close down liquor shops because Hindus drink during festivals and marriages too. They are addicted to it.” He said that liquor shops belong to one community.
During the discussion on demand of grants in the Assembly, Malik made the controversial remarks, triggering protests and a heated exchange of words between him and BJP members.
However, Mubarak Gul, who was in the chair officiating as Speaker, expunged the remarks.
Mehraj blamed the Lieutenant Governor for reducing the excise revenue of the Union Territory, calling it a “scam”.
Amid noisy scenes and opposition ruckus, Mehraj asked them to sit down as he apologised.
Later, while discussing the Chief Minister’s grants, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma criticised the MLA, saying that he has hurt religious sentiments of Hindu by linking the community with liquor.
Taking a dig at the treasury benches for “using” him against the opposition, Sharma said, “He should apologise for hurting Hindu sentiments. The treasury benches should condemn it. The entire house should condemn it.”
He accused them of encouraging him to target them. “Are you not trying to stoke fire here? You should not allow him to speak like this?” Sharma questioned.
The entire opposition stood up from their benches demanding an apology from him. As he tried to respond, some BJP members led by MLA Yudhvir Sethi rushed towards Mehraj, who told them “they are not Hindus”.
However, they were prevented from approaching him, leading to noisy scenes and ruckus.
As BJP members demand an apology, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather clarified that he was not present in the House when the incident occurred.
“I will review the record. If you are saying that he has hurt religious sentiments with his remarks, I will condemn it and expunge it after verifying the records,” he told the House.
Later, Malik said, “If my remarks have disturbed anyone, I apologise. I have no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings.” (PTI)
