Budgam, Nov 7: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said he did not authorise the celebration of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” in schools, saying there should be no outside dictation on such matters and no interference in governing the Union Territory.
“This decision has not been made by the cabinet, nor has the education minister signed off on it. We should decide what happens in our schools without outside dictation on these matters,” Abdullah told reporters here in the central Kashmir district.
On October 30, the culture department of J-K had called for schools across Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram.” This order faced strong backlash from the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an alliance of several religious organisations in J-K, which demanded the immediate withdrawal of what they termed a “coercive order,” arguing that parts of the song contradicted Islamic beliefs regarding monotheism.
Abdullah was campaigning in the Budgam assembly segment on Friday as the elections for that seat are scheduled for November 11.
In response to a question regarding the absence of the party’s Lok Sabha MP, Ruhullah Mehdi — who has represented the influential Shia community three times — Abdullah remarked that his party has never compelled anyone to campaign.
“Those who wish to campaign do so voluntarily, and those who do not want to will not. That’s perfectly fine; I don’t force anyone to campaign. However, when we succeed, those who did not support us will not share in our celebrations,” Abdullah added.
Mehdi has been estranged from the party over the last few months and has openly criticised the functioning of the government.
The chief minister, who had vacated the Budgam seat after winning from Ganderbal as well, necessitating the bypolls in the constituency, said he never wanted to contest from two seats.
“I had told my colleagues that I would not contest from two seats, but this is not an appropriate time to present the reality. A day will come when everything will be shared with you,” he said.
Abdullah also expressed confidence of winning both Budgam and Nagrota seats in Jammu, where bypolls are also taking place.
“We feel that the situation is in our favour in both the seats. Now, the final few days (of the campaign) remain, and we have to work harder to reach out to those voters whom we have not yet appealed to, and encourage them to vote for the National Conference,” he said. (Agencies)
