New Delhi: legislator of Jammu and Kashmir assembly here on Monday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology over the Udhampur and Dadri incidents.
Addressing a press conference in the capital, Engineer Rashid, the legislator, criticised the central government for its “intolerance” towards the minority community.
“PM Modi should apologise for the incidents which took place in Udhampur and Dadri,” he said.
While holding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responsible for the Udhampur incident, Rashid said: “If the Uttar Pradesh government can be held responsible for Dadri incident, then BJP is equally responsible for the Udhampur incident along with its ally PDP (Peoples Democratic Party).”
Zahid Bhat and another Kashmiri from Anantnag district, Showkat Ahmad Dar, sustained major injuries when a mob hurled a fire-bomb on their stationary truck at Udhampur on the Jammu-Srinagar highway earlier this month.
Both were undergoing treatment in Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi where Bhat succumbed to his burn injuries.
In Dadri, Mohammad Akhlaq, 50, was allegedly dragged out of his house on September 28 and lynched following rumours that he slaughtered a cow, which is venerated by Hindus. The family has denied the charge, saying they only ate mutton.
Demanding immediate action against those involved in the Udhampur attack, Rashid said: “The accused should be hanged… The attackers are mentally sick. I want the whole world to see how these people are trying to suppress the voice of Kashmiris.”
“Are we living in Hindustan of Mohan Bhagwat or Sakshi Maharaj? The prime minister talks of Talibanisation and radicalisation. What is this happening in Jammu and Kashmir? Nobody is speaking. I request you with folded hands to highlight the plight of Kashmiris,” he said.
Earlier this month, Rashid had hosted a party on the lawns of the government circuit house in Srinagar where he served beef to the guests. He was later thrashed by BJP legislators in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly over the party.