Statutory Obligation Cannot Be Bypassed: Omar On Vande Mataram Row

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended the singing of the full version of 'Vande Mataram' at official events, saying it is a statutory obligation that cannot be bypassed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Abdullah was responding to criticism from the Congress over the singing of the full national song at the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the issue had been unnecessarily politicised, asserting that the law applied across the country and was not specific to Jammu and Kashmir.

“They should have stopped this in Parliament. But, a law has been enacted,” Abdullah told reporters.

The chief minister said that at an official function attended by two governors, a lieutenant governor and the acting chief justice of the High Court, the national anthem would obviously be played, and the statutory requirement regarding the national song would have to be followed.

“This is not just for Jammu and Kashmir; it applies to the entire country. In states governed by the Congress, the same will happen at government functions,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Abdullah also said legal action could be taken against those who failed to stand for the full national song, questioning whether the Congress wanted people in Kashmir to face legal consequences over the issue.

He said the National Conference had neither adopted the full song nor objected to any future decision by the Congress to revoke the provision.

“When the Congress comes to power, and I pray the Congress comes to power as soon as possible, they can revoke this in Parliament. Let them do it, we have no objection,” Abdullah said.

He added that whatever the party's legal and statutory obligations were, they had to be fulfilled.

On criticism of NC spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq over his remarks about poverty in Kashmir under the Dogra rule, Abdullah defended his party colleague and said the remarks were rooted in historical accounts.

Abdullah said Sadiq's comments were intended to highlight the level of poverty from which Kashmir had emerged, citing historian Walter Lawrence and other historical accounts.

“This is not Tanvir's personal opinion; it is a historical fact,” he said, adding that Kashmir had since progressed in education and other fields.

The chief minister also accused the BJP and PDP of playing a“fixed match” by taking up common issues against the NC.

Read Also CM Omar Defends Tanvir Sadiq's 'Pyajama' Remark, Says 'No Need to Apologise' NC-Congress Spar Over Vande Mataram Full Rendition at IFFJK

On the ongoing International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said the government's focus was to create opportunities for local youth in filmmaking by offering courses in camera work, production and related fields.

He said the government also wanted more films to be shot in Jammu and Kashmir so that local youth could get employment opportunities in the industry.

On protests by Kashmiri Pandit employees over accommodation, Abdullah said transit accommodation had been allotted wherever it was ready and maintained that no employee was homeless or living on the streets.

“If there is one or two individuals who need accommodation, let them inform us. Everyone else has been allotted housing,” he said.

On the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Abdullah said the participation of leaders from major countries was a positive development and said the government would watch the proceedings.

Asked about the scheduled meeting of the Council of Ministers, he said the government holds a cabinet meeting at least once every month and that there was nothing extraordinary on the agenda requiring attention.

MENAFN10092026000215011059ID1111649849