Gulmarg: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday questioned the government’s approach towards political engagement in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing to contradictions in its narrative of normalcy while urging the authorities to ensure the newly inaugurated Gulmarg Convention Centre does not turn into an underutilised facility.
Speaking to the media in Gulmarg, Omar Abdullah said that the government’s repeated claims of peace and progress stood in contrast to its unwillingness to allow opposition leaders to interact with locals. Referring to the restrictions imposed on the political leadership following the demise of Professor Abdul Gani Bhatt, he asked why leaders such as former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Lone were prevented from offering condolences to the bereaved family.
“On the one hand, we say everything is fine and a new Jammu and Kashmir has been created, but on the other, we don’t trust our own people,” Abdullah remarked. He questioned what harm would have been caused had Mehbooba Mufti or Sajad Lone been permitted to visit the grieving family. According to him, preventing such visits not only displayed a lack of compassion but also undermined the government’s repeated assertions of stability.
Abdullah stressed that outreach, particularly in moments of loss, should never be curtailed. “Political differences aside, human values demand that leaders be allowed to share grief with the people they represent. Denying that opportunity reflects a disconnect that damages the government’s credibility,” he said.
Turning to developmental concerns, Abdullah welcomed the establishment of the Gulmarg Convention Centre, describing it as long overdue. He, however, cautioned that without proper planning, the facility risked becoming a financial burden. He cited the example of the Pahalgam Club, which, despite being constructed with significant investment, has struggled to attract consistent activity. [KNT]
