Srinagar, Nov 08: “The only choice is either we crawl, or we stand up to this situation. We will stand up, and we will fight,” said National Conference (NC) leader and MLA from Baramulla, Javad Hassan Beigh, on Friday while responding to the Article 370 debate.
Beigh was speaking to media persons as the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly adjourned sine die after a five-day session.
He said, “We have done what we needed to do. By the grace of Allah, we have done a good job.”
Responding to a question about representatives discussing Article 370 instead of people’s issues on the fifth consecutive day in the assembly, he said, “We talk about people’s issues in the secretariat 24 hours a day. Do you think Omar Abdullah is just waiting for the BJP or paying attention to what they tell the media? People’s issues are being discussed. But you (media) people also have to be patient. Do you think we talk about the price of wheat and potatoes in the assembly?”
The MLA from Baramulla said the erstwhile state had been “robbed” of Article 370 and Article 35A, the flag had been removed from the secretariat, and the J&K constitution had been dismantled. “The people’s representatives are talking about honor and dignity. Allah has given us the right to breathe. Even birds don’t die without water and food. Will you die or will we die? The only choice is either we crawl, or we stand up to this situation. We will stand up, and we will fight.”
When asked about the ruckus and chaos witnessed in the assembly, he responded, “There was no fight. Those who created the ruckus were removed by the marshals. This is what the constitution and the law mandate.”
“It is regrettable. No one should die. Not even a single bird should die. Everyone has a life. That is why we say the central government and the administration of the LG, under the Home Department, should focus on law and order. Leave politics to the politicians,” he said in response to the recent militancy incidents.
The NC elader further said that the LG government should leave politics and governance to the elected leaders and concentrate on militancy incidents. “The police and security forces should eradicate terrorism in the state. They should concentrate on their responsibilities, and we will concentrate on ours. This is the division of responsibility as well as the division of labour.”
