Srinagar, Sep 08: National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq on Monday backed the protesting doctors in Jammu and Kashmir, saying their concerns were genuine and should be resolved at the earliest while condemning any threats issued against them.
Sadiq said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had acknowledged the issue and that Health Minister Sakina Itoo was personally looking into it.
“Omar Sahib said yesterday that this is certainly a genuine issue and that it needs to be resolved at the earliest,” Sadiq said. “That is why our honourable Minister, Sakina Ji, is personally looking into it. Inshallah, we hope that a resolution will be reached as soon as possible.”
Asked about reports that protesting doctors had received threats, Sadiq strongly condemned any such threats and defended their right to demonstrate.
“If there are threats, that is very wrong. They are our children; they are the sons and daughters of the soil,” he said.
Sadiq added that protesting was a legitimate democratic right as long as it was conducted peacefully.
“They have every right to protest. We have always said that everyone has the right to protest in a democratic manner, and they have that right too,” he said, adding that efforts would continue to address their concerns.
His remarks came ahead of the upcoming Assembly session, where the doctors’ issue is expected to be among the matters raised by members.
On the Opposition’s likely strategy in the Assembly, Sadiq said the BJP had every right to question the government but should focus on issues concerning the people.
“They do that; it is the job of the Opposition. We have no problem if they raise issues,” he said. “One thing we need to understand is that questions concerning the people are raised in the Assembly, bills are introduced and resolutions are brought.”
“The Assembly is an important platform where we can speak about the concerns of the people,” he said, urging the Opposition to use the House to raise public issues.
“My advice would be that the Opposition should allow the issues of the people to be discussed in the Assembly and should put forward its own views. They have a right to do so, and they should certainly exercise that right,” Sadiq said.
Sadiq was also asked about the legacy of National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah, and said his contribution to Jammu and Kashmir could not be adequately described.
“Whatever we say in praise of Sher-e-Kashmir’s contribution to every sphere of Jammu and Kashmir and to the country is not enough,” he said, citing his contributions to education, healthcare and social reform.
He particularly referred to Sheikh Abdullah’s land reforms, saying that the “land to the tiller” policy transformed the lives of people by giving them ownership of the land they cultivated.
Sadiq also credited Sheikh Abdullah with laying the foundations that enabled generations of students from Jammu and Kashmir to pursue education across India and abroad, and highlighted his contribution to women’s representation and the development of educational and agricultural institutions in the region.
