Examiner Bureau / Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq over his recent remarks on poverty in Kashmir, saying the statement was rooted in historical accounts and did not warrant an apology or clarification.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar said the hardships faced by Kashmiris in the past had been extensively documented by historians and were not a personal opinion expressed by Tanvir.
“What Tanvir said is historically accurate. He does not need to apologise or clarify what he said,” Omar said.
Referring to historical accounts, the Chief Minister cited the writings of Walter Lawrence and other historians who documented the poverty and socio-economic hardships prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir, including the role of systems involving Zaildars, Chakdars and landlords.
Omar said there was a period when people had extremely limited resources and were forced to cope with severe poverty.
“There was a time when Kashmiris were so poor that they had to come to the city with their pyjamas from the mosque. This is not Tanvir’s own thinking. This is a historical fact,” he said.
He argued that Tanvir’s broader intention may have been to highlight the transformation that Kashmir has undergone since then, particularly in education and social development.
“People are now educating their children and producing doctors and engineers,” Omar said, stressing that the historical reference should be viewed in the context of the progress achieved over the decades.
The Chief Minister also accused the BJP and PDP of raising the issue with what he described as a common political agenda, while firmly rejecting any demand for an apology from Tanvir Sadiq or the National Conference.
“Tanvir does not need to apologise for this. Nor does he need to give any clarification. Nor does my party need to apologise for this. Tanvir did not do anything wrong,” he said.
The Chief Minister also addressed the ongoing political disagreement over the rendition of the full version of Vande Mataram at official functions, saying the government was bound to follow existing statutory provisions.
Responding to objections raised by the Congress, Omar said the issue was governed by law and was not specific to Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have to follow the law. If Congress comes to power, they can repeal the law. But as long as the law exists, we have to follow it,” he said.
Omar said official functions involving constitutional authorities would necessarily include the National Anthem, while the existing provisions also provide for the rendition of the National Song in circumstances covered by the law.
He maintained that the requirement applied across the country, including in states governed by the Congress.
“This is a statutory obligation,” Omar said, arguing that the matter should not be turned into a political controversy.
He also said the National Conference had not adopted Vande Mataram as a party position but, as part of the government, was required to comply with applicable legal provisions.
“If Congress comes to power, I pray that Congress comes to power as soon as possible and abolishes this in Parliament. Let them do it. We have no objection,” he said.
Turning to the ongoing International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), Omar said the government was working to revive Jammu and Kashmir’s long-standing association with the film industry and bring regular film production back to the Valley.
Speaking on the sidelines of the festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), he said renewed film activity could generate employment for local youth and contribute to the region’s economy.
“We are trying to bring film shoots back to Kashmir. It will generate local employment and give a boost to the economy,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said Kashmir had historically been a major destination for film shoots, long before international locations such as Switzerland became popular among Indian filmmakers.
He said the government’s objective was not merely to attract outside productions but also to create a skilled local workforce capable of participating in the entire filmmaking process.
“We are trying to get our local kids to do camera work, production, all these things. They should do courses in this. And there should be film shootings here,” he said.
Under the J&K Film Policy, the government has sought to position the Union Territory as a filmmaker-friendly destination through financial incentives linked to shooting days and local expenditure.
The policy also provides for single-window clearances through an online system for location approvals and security permissions, along with additional incentives for productions that engage local artists, technicians and crew.
Omar said the government wanted cinema to become an industry capable of generating employment, developing local talent and bringing Jammu and Kashmir into greater engagement with national and international film production.
He said efforts were also being made to strengthen the local ecosystem by developing professionals such as cinematographers, line producers, sound engineers and actors, besides improving post-production facilities, equipment availability, studios and opportunities for film education.
The Chief Minister urged filmmakers attending the festival to make greater use of local talent and showcase the region’s cultural and natural heritage through their productions.
“Tell your fellow filmmakers that Jammu and Kashmir is open, safe, vibrant and eager to welcome your crews,” he told national and international delegates.
The IFFJK, supported by the J&K Government and the Department of Information and Public Relations, features 135 shortlisted films and is scheduled to conclude on September 10.
From defending a controversial historical reference to insisting that the government must follow statutory provisions and promoting Kashmir as a renewed destination for filmmakers, Omar’s remarks on Thursday touched upon three issues at the intersection of politics, law, history and the region’s future economic opportunities.
