Indian army chief’s remarks spark uproar in IOK assembly
Members of National Conference staged a walk out during the assembly session
Appalled NC members walk out during assembly session PHOTO: Kashmir Observer
JAMMU:
The opposition in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) assembly staged a walk out and demanded explanation from CM Mehbooba Mufti over remarks passed by the Indian army chief where he ordered authorities to take control of mosques and madrassas in IOK.
"Social media and government schools in the state were propagating a disinformation campaign resulting in the radicalisation of the youth," said General Rawat on Friday.
Indian army chief stresses political solution for Kashmir dispute
He even recommended some control over mosques and madrassas in the state and suggested a "major revamp" of the education system.
Statements by the army chief came soon after an accusation by the Education Minister, Altaf Bukhari, that the chief had been, "meddling in the state's affairs".
"The statement was sad and unwarranted," lamented Ali Mohammad Sagar, a MLA of National Conference (NC).
“He should not have given such a statement which has sent a wrong message to Kashmir,” Sagar added.
Communist Party of India (Marxist)-CPI (M), MLA M Y Tarigami also criticised the statement and demanded an explanation from the government.
The walk out by NC was rendered ineffective, as the demands were not met by the government. Members said that the ruling coalition had a jarring within itself.
Indian army chief stresses political solution for Kashmir dispute
Sagar informed reporters that there was a problem in the government and that the partners in power were not discussing the issue within.
"They (PDP and BJP) are not discussing issue within,” he said.
“The centre says one thing, the army another, the home ministry yet another, and the state government something altogether different. They have different directions," he elaborated.
“There is no such radicalisation in Kashmir. The army chief’s statement is manufactured propaganda aimed to target Kashmir and Kashmiris”, he argued.
This article originally appeared in Kashmir Observer.
The opposition in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) assembly staged a walk out and demanded explanation from CM Mehbooba Mufti over remarks passed by the Indian army chief where he ordered authorities to take control of mosques and madrassas in IOK.
"Social media and government schools in the state were propagating a disinformation campaign resulting in the radicalisation of the youth," said General Rawat on Friday.
Indian army chief stresses political solution for Kashmir dispute
He even recommended some control over mosques and madrassas in the state and suggested a "major revamp" of the education system.
Statements by the army chief came soon after an accusation by the Education Minister, Altaf Bukhari, that the chief had been, "meddling in the state's affairs".
"The statement was sad and unwarranted," lamented Ali Mohammad Sagar, a MLA of National Conference (NC).
“He should not have given such a statement which has sent a wrong message to Kashmir,” Sagar added.
Communist Party of India (Marxist)-CPI (M), MLA M Y Tarigami also criticised the statement and demanded an explanation from the government.
The walk out by NC was rendered ineffective, as the demands were not met by the government. Members said that the ruling coalition had a jarring within itself.
Indian army chief stresses political solution for Kashmir dispute
Sagar informed reporters that there was a problem in the government and that the partners in power were not discussing the issue within.
"They (PDP and BJP) are not discussing issue within,” he said.
“The centre says one thing, the army another, the home ministry yet another, and the state government something altogether different. They have different directions," he elaborated.
“There is no such radicalisation in Kashmir. The army chief’s statement is manufactured propaganda aimed to target Kashmir and Kashmiris”, he argued.
This article originally appeared in Kashmir Observer.