Srinagar, May 01: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of spreading “lies” over the alleged dropping of Urdu and said no such decision has been approved by his government.
He said a proposal regarding the issue had been received from the department but was still pending approval.
“The file of the proposed droppage is still on my table. I have not approved it,” Abdullah said, asserting that the government had only sought public feedback and not taken any final decision.
The chief minister said an order had been issued inviting public comments, which was being misrepresented for political purposes.
“There is a difference between asking for public comments and dropping a subject. We are an elected government and it is our responsibility to take feedback from the people,” he said.
Targeting the PDP, Abdullah alleged that the party was raising the issue to divert attention from its role in helping the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections.
“They are talking about Urdu to ensure people do not focus on other developments,” he said, adding that those making such claims should produce an official order if one exists.
The chief minister also criticised the PDP’s past alliance with the BJP, saying the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir was a result of that decision.
Commenting on rising prices, Abdullah said the increase in fuel costs would have a cascading impact on daily life.
“The prices of oil will rise, everything will become expensive, and passenger fares will also increase,” he said, adding that fare hikes were unavoidable due to rising input costs.
He linked the surge in global fuel prices to ongoing international conflicts and called for an end to war.
“The solution is to end this war. There was no reason for it. At least the United States should come to its senses and stop the war so that oil prices come down and people get relief,” Abdullah said.
