Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 28: Accusing the ruling National Conference of advancing the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party in J&K, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti today took a swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying he was “running marathons to run from his duties.”
Mufti made the remarks after she, along with party leaders and workers, attempted to take out a protest rally from the PDP headquarters against the decision to drop Urdu as a requirement for key revenue posts.
Police, however, stopped the rally from proceeding.
Alleging that the National Conference had failed to safeguard people’s rights, she said the Government was instead “normalising every assault.”
“Omar is running marathons to run from his duties. He had promised to protect the people of J&K, but instead you are ensuring an onslaught on the Urdu language,” she told reporters.
The PDP leader described the move as an “attack” on Urdu and claimed it was also affecting educational institutions, accusing the Government of remaining silent on the issue.
“This Government had promised to fight for the rights of the people and safeguard lives. Today, it is trying to snatch our language. Urdu is our pride and part of our culture and tradition,” she said.
Mufti said that while J&K has diverse linguistic identities, Urdu serves as a link language, and removing it from the system would amount to an attack on culture, tradition and religion.
She asserted that her party would oppose any such measures.
Questioning the Government’s response, she noted that it also holds the education portfolio and should clarify its position. “Language is our biggest asset; it is our voice. Can a Government with 50 MLAs not speak about it?” she asked.
Alleging that the National Conference was “deliberately paving the way” for BJP policies, she said the party was targeting Urdu because of its cultural and integrative significance.
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