Omar Backs SC Intervention on Voter Deletions, Rules Out UCC in J&K; Questions Rohingya Crackdown
Srinagar, Oct 6: KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention on the issue of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, while reiterating his support for the INDIA bloc’s campaign against the Election Commission and ruling out implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said the issue of voter deletions had been repeatedly raised by the Opposition and welcomed the fact that it had now come under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny. He said the court’s intervention would help bring greater attention to concerns surrounding the electoral-roll revision exercise.
Abdullah also backed the INDIA bloc’s ongoing campaign on the issue, including the march by Opposition MPs to the Election Commission in Delhi. He said the bloc had planned a calendar of programmes and would continue raising its concerns over the electoral process.
On the Uniform Civil Code, Abdullah ruled out its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that a law intended to establish a uniform civil code should be considered and enacted by Parliament rather than introduced separately by individual states or Union Territories. He said if the Centre wanted a uniform framework, it should be debated and legislated at the national level.
The Chief Minister also questioned the recent action against Rohingya refugees in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a distinction between unauthorised entrants and Rohingya refugees who had earlier been provided shelter. He said the issue primarily fell within the domain of the Government of India and questioned the basis for the recent action against those who had been sheltered. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
