SRINAGAR: The call for boycotting “everything Kashmiri” by Meghalaya governor Tathagata Roy in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack has evoked strong resentment by political parties and various sections of people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Quoting an appeal from a retired Army Colonel, Mr Roy tweeted: “Don't visit Kashmir, don't go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don't buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri. I am inclined to agree."
Former chief minister and leader of National Conference Omar Abdullah was first to react strongly to Mr Roy’s remarks. He wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.com “People like Tathagata want Kashmir but without Kashmiris. They’d sooner see us driven into the sea. He’ll be best placed to know he can’t have one without the other so what’s it to be?”
In another tweet, Mr. Abdullah said, “These are the bigots driving Kashmir over the abyss. While you are at it, Tathagata why don’t you stop using our rivers to generate your electricity as well?”
Peoples’ Democratic Party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in her reaction demanded Mr. Roy’s dismissal unless he has the blessing of those at the helm of affairs in New Delhi. She tweeted, “Deplorable statement coming from the Governor of Meghalaya. GoI must sack him immediately. If they fail to do so, it means he has their tacit approval and are using it as an election ploy to polarise the situation”.
Several other political parties, their leaders, social activists and civil society groups too have reacted sharply to the Meghalaya’s Governor’s boycott Kashmir call. Many people in Kashmir and beyond also took to social media platforms to deplore his “sick mentality”.
