Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of abandoning his promise to establish a National Law University (NLU) in Budgam after losing the Assembly seat there.
Addressing a workers’ convention in Budgam, Mehbooba thanked the people of the constituency for standing up against what she termed “injustice” and the “broken promises” of the ruling National Conference (NC), and for electing “a young and bold voice” to the Assembly.
The NC had suffered a setback last year when it lost the Budgam Assembly bypoll to the PDP, barely a year after the seat had been won by Omar Abdullah. Mufti criticised the NC government for allegedly blocking PDP’s “pro-people” bills in the Assembly and reiterated her demand for establishment of a National Law University in Budgam.
She reminded the gathering that Omar Abdullah had promised during the election campaign to set up the institution in Budgam but had “gone silent” on the issue after losing the seat.
The PDP chief also expressed concern over what she described as a “systematic erasure” of the Urdu language under the present dispensation. She referred to attempts to dilute the role of Urdu in recruitment examinations, including those for Naib Tehsildar posts, despite the language being deeply connected with the cultural, spiritual and religious heritage of communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the growing unemployment crisis, Mufti said increasing joblessness was contributing to depression and frustration among youth. She also raised concerns over the delay in issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Siraj-ul-Uloom and other schools functioning on government land, alleging that the future of thousands of students was being jeopardised.
On the issue of drug abuse, she said strict action should be taken against drug peddlers but innocent families must not suffer during anti-drug operations.
Mufti also highlighted the plight of prisoners lodged in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir without trial and said she was pursuing their cases in the Supreme Court to facilitate their relocation closer to their homes.
The former Chief Minister further referred to the difficulties being faced by brick kiln owners despite complying with official formalities.
Accusing the government of rampant corruption, Mufti claimed that deserving youth were being denied opportunities while political favouritism continued to dominate the recruitment process.
