Srinagar : Remarks by BJP MLA Shagun Parihar alleging that the Hindu population was being neglected in Kishtwar triggered heated exchanges between BJP and opposition MLAs from the National Conference (NC) and Congress in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Speaking during the Question Hour, Parihar claimed that the Hindu community in Kishtwar was being ignored and described them as “nationalistic.”
Her comments drew sharp objections from NC and Congress legislators, who demanded that she withdraw her statement.
“Don’t use such words. This government does not discriminate on religious lines,” Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar told her, Deputy Chief Minister Surindar Chowdhary also countered her remarks, saying, “In Kishtwar, people from all religions are nationalistic. There is no discrimination.”
NC MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan said Parihar, being a first-time legislator, might have made a “slip of the tongue” and advised her to avoid such statements in the future.
Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone also condemned her remarks.
