In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Omar spoke about a range of issues, including the troubles within the INDIA bloc and the likelihood of a tie-up with the BJP after the assembly elections. Excerpts:
Q/What is your opinion about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s view that J&K has suffered from parivarvad (dynastic rule)?
A/The BJP has a problem with only those parivars that are opposed to it. If you are part of the BJP or the NDA, then parivarvad is not a problem. People wanted the prime minister to talk about the restoration of democracy and of statehood and other issues that concern them. They wanted to hear what was being done to improve the electricity situation after the dismal power supply in winter. The daily wagers wanted to hear about their regularisation, the youth wanted to hear about job prospects and Kashmiri migrants wanted to know about the government’s plans for them to be able to come back. On all these important points, the prime minister was strangely silent.
Q/Why are you so dismissive of the BJP’s claim about investments in J&K post the abrogation of Article 370?
A/Where is the investment? Tourism, agriculture, horticulture and handicraft are key sectors in Kashmir. Show anything new, like a new hotel? The only visible project is a mall under construction in Pulwama. If the removal of Article 370 was solely for building a mall, locals could have done that by themselves.
Q/How about the BJP’s claim of peace in Kashmir?
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lessons in leadership
When I began my career at Hindustan Lever (as HUL was then called), I was deeply inspired by our chairman, Dr Ashok S. Ganguly.
Political colours
One of the greatest fashion statements of recent times was made in the Parliament's winter session by Rahul Gandhi and some opposition colleagues. India's most news-making politician (since his landmark Bharat Jodo Yatra) gave up his signature white polo T-shirt for a blue one.
Chat roam
Vox pop content is seeing an uptick in India, with creators making conversations on current and social issues fun and funny
Back home with BANNG
Michelin star-winning chef Garima Arora, who recently opened her first restaurant in India, on all things food and family
One supercalifragilisticexpialidocious New Year
Once Christmas is over, tension mounts in our home as the little woman and I start ticking off the days. We both remain on edge because we dread the coming of the New Year—a time when the whole world goes crazy and adopts resolutions. We, too, make New Year promises and our ‘list of past resolutions’ is very long and impressive. Unfortunately, we are complete failures at keeping them and our ‘list of resolutions not kept’ is equally long and equally impressive.
Six or out?
Cricket is a quasi-religion in India. And our pantheon of cricketers is worshipped with a fervour bordering on hysteria.
DOWN AND UNDER THE WEATHER
After their flop show in Australia, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have to live on current form rather than past glory
The new in news
THE WEEK and DataLEADS partner to revolutionise news with fact-checks, data and Live Journalism
Hello Middle East
Reem Al-Hashimy, UAE minister of state for international cooperation, inaugurates a special Middle East section on THE WEEK website
BAIT CLICK
Dark patterns fool millions of Indians every day. The government is finally acting, but it just may not be enough
