Attack on Badal brazen, matter of concern: CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Dec 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, a Z-plus category protectee, was a matter of concern which needs to be investigated.

“I spoke to Sukhbir yesterday after the attack on him. I expressed our gratefulness to the almighty that he survived that attack. We spoke about the situation, obviously, some other things that he shared with me, are not for public consumption,” he told reporters here after attending the 42nd annual day of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).

He called it a matter of concern that a former deputy chief minister, a Z-plus category protectee, could be attacked in broad daylight.

“This needs to be looked at, why is this, how did this happen, and ensure this does not happen again in the future. Because, let us not forget, not long ago, Punjab went through a very difficult phase in the 1980s and early 1990s and God forbid we see something like that again,” CM Omar said.

Asked about surveys of Masjids and shrines, he said the country was secular and everyone had a right to live freely in it.

“Our party has also talked about it. Everyone has a right to live in this country, there is a word 'secular' in our Constitution and until that word is there, it means that irrespective of our religion, we have a right to live freely in this country,” he said.

The CM also wondered if the Dargahs and Masjids were being targeted under a well-thought-out conspiracy.

“We are not seeking appeasement, but non-appeasement does not mean you will target us. Do not target us,” he said, and urged, no one in particular, to not “victimise” Muslims.

“Going after our Masjids and shrines, or our way of practising our religion, you are victimising us and this is not the India that J&K was a part of, this is not the India our founding fathers envisaged, this is not the India that has the word secular in its Constitution and until that is there, keep it secular. If you do not want to keep it secular, then if you can remove it through the Parliament, do it,” CM Omar said.