SRINAGAR, May 1: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday clarified that no decision has been taken to drop Urdu, asserting that the government has merely sought public feedback and accused political opponents of spreading misinformation.
Speaking to reporters on sidelines of the integration of two new blocks of estate department in Pampore, Chief Minister Omar said, “There is no droppage of Urdu. God save us from such people who cannot differentiate between truth and falsehood. Unfortunately, this group and its leadership see nothing beyond lies.”
He said the government had asked critics to show any official order where Urdu had been removed. “They only showed the order where we invited public comments. If one cannot understand the difference between seeking feedback and dropping a subject, then it is unfortunate,” he added.
Referring to PDP leader Iltija Mufti’s protest, Omar Abdullah said, “She is educated, but perhaps she still needs to understand the difference between asking for public comments and actually dropping a subject. The file regarding any such proposal is still on my table. I have not approved it, nor do I intend to.”
He further stated that while a proposal may have come from the department, it has not been cleared. “As an elected government, it is our responsibility to seek public feedback. The order issued was only for that purpose. Those who have nothing constructive to offer are trying to push their politics based on falsehood,” he said.
Responding to a question on RTI-related claims, the Chief Minister alleged that the PDP was attempting to divert attention. “They supported the BJP earlier, and now they are trying to mislead people by raising such issues and focusing only on Urdu,” he added.
