In a stern attack on the BJP government, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday termed the G20 summit in Srinagar a “tamasha” while saying “actual meeting will probably see most areas locked down and people stuck in their homes”.
He also said people in the Valley are “suffering from pain” and G20 has “punished” residents of Srinagar.
Omar Abdullah, who has also been a minister in the BJP-led NDA government during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, made these comments after his father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed his dismay for “excluding” Jammu from the G-20 summit.
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"It is very unfortunate that the G20 meeting can be held in Ladakh and Kashmir but not in Jammu. Is Jammu not important? It is sad that not a single BJP leader, even those who chanted 'Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Dogra, Dogra, Dogra' raised the issue. They have taken Jammu for granted believing that it is in their pocket," Farooq Abdullah has reportedly said.
However, an event related to the G20 summit in the Valley was held in Jammu last month. On April 19 this year, one day summit—the ‘Youth 20 Consultation Summit’ on peace-building and reconciliation was held at Jammu University. The administration had said it was aimed to provide a platform for the youth to express their views and ideas on G20 priorities in the Union Territory. It was inaugurated by Union Minister Jitendra Singh and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha
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Omar said: “Things are a mess in Srinagar because of this G20 tamasha. The actual meeting will probably see most areas locked down & people stuck in their homes. Perhaps the BJP is being sensible sparing the people of Jammu the pain we are suffering here in the valley. The G20 has only punished the residents of Srinagar”.
It seems Omar Abdullah is aghast over the prevailing circumstances in Srinagar especially the city centre Lal Chowk.
The administration in Srinagar is currently busy in the city’s makeover ahead of the G-20 working group meeting to be held this month in which around 50 delegates are expected to participate.
The administration is making advance arrangements by repairing major roads, and drainage systems, passing directions for beautification, plants for parks and wall paintings.
Currently, massive construction and excavation spree is going around in Srinagar city, which is resulting in massive traffic disruptions, while many shopkeepers around the commercial hub Lal Chowk are complaining about a loss in business due to the mega project.
Jammu and Kashmir administration says through its Srinagar Smart City project it “aspires to leverage its natural and cultural heritage/tourism, through innovative and inclusive solutions, enhance the quality of life for its citizens”.
Under the Smart City project, the administration has announced to consider projects including Jhelum Water Front Development and Water Transport, Urban Mobility, Street and Intersection Development, City Beautification & Urban Art, Green Srinagar, Heritage Conservation and Downtown Renewal, Information technology, central business district upgradation, solid waste management.
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The G20 meeting in Kashmir assumes significance since it is the first major event of international repute to be held in the region post-5 August 2019.
In 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Earlier, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also lambasted Jammu and Kashmir administrations for “destroying” Srinagar’s “aesthetics”. She had termed the administration’s move as “tacky and distasteful planning”.
