LoP Defends Pir Panjal Remarks, Refuses to Apologise

 

Hemani Kandhari 

Jammu, Feb 4:

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Wednesday defended his remarks on the Pir Panjal region and refused to apologise, even as the issue triggered protests by ruling National Conference (NC) and Congress MLAs inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly demanding an apology from the LoP. Some members moved into the well of the House, disrupting proceedings. Following the uproar, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for a brief period.

The controversy erupted after Sunil Sharma questioned the mention of the Pir Panjal region, reportedly asking whether the region was documented in official records. His remarks drew strong reactions from the treasury benches.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma strongly objected to the statement, expressing anger over what they termed as an insult to the people of Pir Panjal. They said that residents of the region are among the most nationalist citizens, living close to border areas and facing hardships during war-like situations. They added that a large number of people from Pir Panjal serve in the Army and other defence forces.

Ruling party members insisted that the LoP should apologise for his remarks, calling them insensitive and disrespectful.

Speaking to us later, Sunil Sharma said that dividing the Jammu division into regions was an “old habit” of the ruling parties. “I don’t understand why they do this,” he said. Responding to the demand for an apology by the Deputy Chief Minister and other MLAs, the LoP made it clear that he would not apologise. He alleged that the protest was being staged to please their political leadership.

Earlier in the day, proceedings in the House were running smoothly before the issue was raised, leading to disruption.