Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed hope that the traditional Ashura procession in Srinagar would soon be restored to its original route, while strongly rejecting allegations of backdoor appointments levelled by the Peoples Democratic Party. Speaking on the significance of Muharram and Ashura, Omar Abdullah said the month serves as a reminder of sacrifice and resilience. He added that society suffers when people forget the lessons and values associated with those who made sacrifices.
“I hope the day returns soon when the Ashura procession is allowed to follow its original route. We have made several efforts in the past to restore the procession to its traditional route, but we could not fully achieve that. We will continue making every possible effort in the future as well,” he said. Responding to the PDP’s allegations regarding the outsourcing of jobs and backdoor appointments, Omar Abdullah accused the party of hypocrisy.
“There is a Hindi saying, ‘Ulta chor kotwal ko daante’ (the guilty accusing others). Those who carried out the highest number of illegal backdoor appointments are now levelling allegations against us,” he said. The Chief Minister referred to the appointment of the son of PDP leader Sartaj Madni, claiming it was a backdoor appointment that was later cancelled following court directions. He also alleged that several other backdoor appointments made during the PDP-BJP government remain under investigation by agencies.
“If I start counting the backdoor appointments made during the PDP-BJP regime, you won’t have enough time to listen. Let them provide even a single name of a candidate appointed through a backdoor process by our government. We are ready to answer every allegation backed by evidence,” he said. Omar Abdullah said his government would not respond to baseless allegations through political statements alone, adding that all relevant information has been compiled.
“In the next one or two days, two of my senior ministers will address the media and place all the facts before the people,” he said. Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah joined mourners at Zadibal on the solemn occasion of Youm-e-Ashura and distributed water and milk at a sabeel set up along the procession route as a mark of respect and solidarity with the mourners.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq. During his visit, Omar Abdullah interacted with mourners and volunteers engaged in facilitating the observance of Youm-e-Ashura. He also participated in the distribution of refreshments at the sabeel, appreciating the spirit of service and devotion displayed by volunteers.
Zadibal, one of the principal centres of Muharram observances in Srinagar, witnessed large gatherings of mourners participating in the traditional Ashura procession amid elaborate arrangements made by the administration to ensure its smooth and peaceful conduct. The Chief Minister also visited the revered Shrine of Mir Shamsu-din Araqi (RA) at Zadibal, where he offered Fatihah and prayed for peace, harmony and the well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
