SRINAGAR, Dec 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday took a strong dig at the critics of his grandfather and founder of the ruling National Conference party, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, saying his controversial decisions were only aimed at “betterment and progress of the people”.
“Is it is wrong to make a compromise? If yes, then Israel, Palestine, Ireland and other countries which searched for peaceful resolutions for their issues and made compromises were all wrong,” Omar said at the Sheikh’s mausoleum during a function marking his 107th birth anniversary.
“Various attempts were made to mislead people about Sheikh Abdullah’s mission. Attempts were made to demean him in the eyes of people, his every decision was projected in a wrong way and every attempt was made to project him as somebody he was not.”
Sheikh Abdullah has been the most popular political leader in Jammu and Kashmir after he rose to prominence while fighting the Dogra monarchy before 1947. A former Prime Minister of the state (the post was later abolished), he spent nearly a decade in prison after he was dismissed and arrested in 1953.
In 1975, he signed an accord with then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi and became chief minister.
Although Sheikh is known for many a contribution like the historic ‘land to tiller’ reforms, his accord with Gandhi creating a major divide in the state.
He gradually became a divisive figure in Kashmir’s politics. Many dissenters of the accord later became ideologues of the region’s separatist movement.
Omar, however, defended his grandfather saying he believed in dialogue as a solution to all problems. “If you want to resolve the issues, compromise is the only way out,” Omar said.
“Baba-e-Qaum (father of the nation) only thought one thing for this nation and for the people of this nation — that is betterment, benefit and progress.”
In an apparent reference to senior separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who is a critic of Sheikh Abdullah’s policies and decisions, Omar said those censuring his grandfather for participating in elections had themselves fought elections, and that too “many a time”.
“If participating in elections is wrong then Sheikh sahib is wrong, but then everyone who participated in elections is wrong. Those who participated in elections more than Sheikh sahib did, aren’t they wrong then?” Omar asked.
Geelani, before a simmering discontent against New Delhi turned into a full blown rebellion in 1989, had thrice fought elections and served as a member of the legislative assembly.
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