The controversy over the removal of a chapter on Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali’s illustrious life and teachings from Class 9 textbooks escalated earlier today when MLA Handwara and Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone raised the alarm.
In his post on X, Lone criticized the move as “cultural terrorism,” emphasizing the saint’s pivotal role in shaping Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual identity. His post garnered widespread attention, with many condemning the deletion.
In response, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured that the chapter would not be removed.
However, as expected, he should have addressed the post made by Sajad Lone. Instead, he responded to a later post on the same issue by MLA Kulgam, M. Yusuf Tarigami, stating, ‘I assure @tarigami sb that there will be no deletion of the chapter.’
Despite Sajad Lone being the first to raise the issue, Omar Abdullah exclusively responded to Tarigami, which many critics and political experts view as a move to credit allies within the government for addressing the issue while sidelining the opposition’s role.
“By choosing not to engage with Sajad Lone, the J&K government risks undermining the concerns of opposition leaders and downplaying their legitimate contributions,” a political analyst commented.
