Senior BJP leader and party’s J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur Wednesday took a jibe at National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah for claiming that ‘kya badla hai…” stated that it needs a fact check to see what exactly has changed for a reminder, Kashmir has never been as peaceful as it is today as street protests, shutdowns, school closures, stone pelting, was a history while terrorism was breathing its last.
In a statement issued here, Thakur lambasted Omar Abdullah for claiming that what has changed in Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370, stating that gone are the days when Kashmir would witness street protests, stone pelting, shutdowns, school and college closures. “Why can’t you see (Omar Abdullah) business and shops remaining on all 365 days a year,” Thakur questioned, adding that no innocent lives are going to waste on Kashmir streets like “we saw in 2010 when 112 youth were killed when Omar was heading the J&K as Chief Minister.”
He said Omar doesn’t feel that terrorism is on its deathbed as a record number of terrorists have been killed since Article 370 roll back. “Kashmir streets are no more red with the blood of innocents,” Thakur said in a reference to Omar, adding that biggest change was that NC was able to hold a public meeting in South Kashmir today.
He said J&K has witnessed a huge developmental push since 2019 and for that one needs to see through the eyes of heart. “Those who filled their own coffers and promoted family rule to stay in power can’t see development taking place in J&K. Isn’t Kashmir witnessing a tourism boom as over 1.7 crore tourists have visited so far. Hasn’t the livelihood of tourism players, tour operators, shikara wallas, cart pullers, pony walls improved after a long gap,” the BJP leader questioned.
Taking a dig at Omar further, Thakur said why NC leader forgets how religious sentiments of people of Kashmir were hurt badly during NC rule in 1983 when copies of holy quran was burnt and beards of people were shaved off,” he said, adding that those whose own houses are made of mirrors should point figures at others.
