Srinagar, Sep 10: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq over his recent ‘Pyajama’ remark, saying it was based on historical accounts and did not warrant an apology or clarification.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar said the poverty and hardships faced by Kashmiris in the past had been documented by historians and were not a personal opinion expressed by Sadiq.
“What Tanvir said is historically accurate. He does not need to apologise or clarify what he said,” Omar said.
Referring to accounts by Walter Lawrence and other historians, the Chief Minister said Kashmir had witnessed widespread poverty, with people suffering under systems involving Zaildars, Chakdars and landlords.
“Yes, there was poverty in Kashmir in old times,” he said.
“There was a time when Kashmiris were so poor that they had to come to the city with their pyjamas from the mosque. This is not Tanvir’s own thinking. This is a historical fact,” Omar added.
He said Sadiq’s intention was perhaps to highlight the progress made by Kashmiris from those difficult circumstances, noting that people were now educating their children and producing doctors and engineers.
Omar also accused the BJP and PDP of raising the issue with a common agenda.
“Tanvir does not need to apologise for this. Nor does he need to give any clarification. Nor does my party need to apologise for this. Tanvir did not do anything wrong,” he said.
A clipped video of Sadiq’s remarks had recently gone viral on social media. In the video, he was heard saying that there was a time when Kashmir was so poor that one pair of trousers was shared by several people. The remarks drew criticism from opposition leaders.
Omar on Vande Mataram row
On the Congress objecting to the singing of the full stanzas of Vande Mataram at government functions, Omar said the government was bound by existing laws and statutory provisions.
“We have to follow the law. If Congress comes to power, they can repeal the law. But as long as the law exists, we have to follow it,” he said.
Omar said a function involving two Governors, the Lieutenant Governor and the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court would necessarily include the National Anthem.
He added that existing provisions also require the full stanzas of Vande Mataram to be played wherever the National Anthem is played at government functions.
“This is not limited to Jammu and Kashmir. It applies across the country, including Congress-ruled states,” Omar said.
He said legal action could be taken against those who refused to stand during the full stanzas.
“So what does the Congress want? For Kashmiris to be imprisoned with this excuse? This is a statutory obligation,” he said.
