Omar intentionally hurting sentiments of Hindu community: Dr Manyal

JAMMU, 8 November: The BJP strongly condemns the remarks of Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) vice president Omar Abdullah on construction of road to Shri Amarnath. By raising objections on providing road facility for vehicular access to the holy shrine, the former Chief Minister has intentionally hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus in India and abroad.

Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, J&K BJP General Secretary and former Minister expressed these views of the party and asked the NC leader to publicly apologize for making communal statements. He said that the NC leader has tried to link the construction of roads with the environment and created unnecessary controversy, which is not tolerable.

Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal said that the BJP respects all the religions and has never made any such statement, which has the potential of hurting the religious sentiments of a community or faith. The holy cave of Shri Amarnath is situated at high altitude, with changing weather conditions and the pilgrims have been travelling on foot or poni to cover difficult tracks. No proper road connectivity has been creating problems for aged people, those suffering from some ailments, women and children. By constructing a proper road will provide relief to the pilgrims, which cannot be digested by leaders like Omar Abdullah.

The BJP leader reminded the NC that the Narendra Modi government has added a facility to travel for ‘Haj’ by upgrading the Srinagar Airport, thus providing direct flight from Valley to Jeddah. This government has also enhanced the Haj subsidy for the Minority pilgrims and BJP did not raise any objection, rather it welcomed the decision of the government as it stands for better facilities to everyone, irrespective of religion or region.

Again, it is the Modi government, which provided the visa free facility to Sikh Minority community to travel across the border through Kartarpur corridor to pay obeisances at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.

Dr. Manyal advised the NC leader not to provoke the peace loving people of Kashmir on the name of environment and learn to respect the religious sentiments of other communities.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)