SRINAGAR: Opposition, including National Conference (NC) and Congress, today staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly against alleged discrimination with Kashmir.
Independent MLA Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid stormed into the Well of the House demanding justice with Kashmir.
After Education Minister Naeem Akhtar answered a question regarding setting up of IIT and IIM in Kashmir valley at par with Jammu, Er Rashid, who raised the issue in the Lower House, asked the government if it was waiting for a Jammu type agitation to happen in Kashmir before it will grant these premier institutes to the Valley.
Er Rashid said initially the AIIMS was given only to Kashmir and IIM was given to the winter capital, but after agitation in Jammu, it was also given AIIMS. “We are not against Jammu getting an AIIMS, but if you can have two AIIMS why can’t you have two IIM and IIT for both the regions.
If giving AIIMS to Kashmir and not to Jammu was discrimination, then giving IIM and IIT to Jammu and not to Kashmir is also discrimination,” he said.
The Education Minister was quick to respond, saying that both of them can’t be compared. “AIIMS is a hospital, and IIT and IIM are educational institutes, you can’t compare them” he said.
However, the opposition rejected the logic given by Mr Akhtar and asked the government to come clean on its stand on setting up the institutes in Kashmir valley.
“We are not against the setting up of IIT and IIM in Jammu, but why discrimination with Kashmir which has got nothing,” the NC members were seen shouting in the House.
As Speaker Kavinder Gupta didn’t allow any further discussion on the issue, Member from NC and Congress led by Leader of Opposition Omar Abdullah staged a walkout. (AGENCIES)
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