The Diplomat Desk
Jammu :TDD,The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit has taken a firm stance against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent proposals, specifically opposing autonomy for the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and the reinstatement of December 5 as a public holiday. The party’s General Secretary (Organisation), Ashok Koul, expressed strong criticism of these demands, characterizing them as an attempt to revive the political climate of the 1990s.
In his statement, Koul emphasized that SKIMS is currently operating effectively under its present administrative framework, making autonomy unnecessary. He pointed to the institute’s troubled history, claiming that prior to 2000, it had become a center of militant activities with some staff members allegedly involved. The BJP leader highlighted how SKIMS has since evolved into a prestigious healthcare facility serving the entire Jammu and Kashmir region.
Koul warned that granting autonomy could potentially undermine the progress SKIMS has achieved and risk returning to what he described as its “problematic past.” He emphasized the institute’s current significance in providing healthcare services to thousands of residents across the region and advised against any changes that might compromise this success.
Regarding the National Conference’s request to reinstate a holiday on December 5, marking Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah’s anniversary, Koul dismissed the proposal, stating that the existing calendar already includes sufficient holidays.TDD