Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 11: Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo today said the closure of Siraj-ul-Uloom was ordered by the Home Department and not by the National Conference-led Government, while assuring that students affected by the decision would be accommodated in other institutions.
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Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a commemorative event marking the 36th death anniversary of Sheikh Muhammad Mansoor in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Itoo said the Government had no role in the closure of the institution.
Responding to questions about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s visit to New Delhi and the demand for restoration of statehood, Itoo said statehood was a “right” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and not a concession being sought from the Centre. “We are not begging for statehood. Statehood is the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Itoo said the National Conference Government had passed a resolution on statehood in its first Cabinet meeting and later secured passage of resolutions in the Assembly seeking restoration of statehood and special status.
She said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier committed to restoring statehood after elections and delimitation. “They say every time that Jammu and Kashmir is normal now. So, if everything is normal, then why are they not returning statehood?” she asked.
Itoo also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party, accusing it of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party and misrepresenting statements made by Omar. “The PDP has the habit of lying,” she said, alleging that the party had supported the BJP in the Rajya Sabha and echoed the “agenda of the RSS.”
Defending Chief Minister against criticism over remarks linked to liquor policy, Itoo said no liquor shops had been opened in Kashmir during the National Conference Government’s tenure and maintained that the party had consistently opposed drugs and alcohol.
“Our party has always been against it, against drugs, against alcohol, and whatever is wrong, we do not allow it,” she said.
She said National Conference workers and leaders had frequently been targeted during years of militancy in the region. “At least 3,500 workers have been martyred,” she said, referring to members of the party.
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