Allow me to begin with a note of thanks for your letter written to Omar Abdullah. Even though the letter is in the nature of a harangue and J’ accuse is writ large over it, my leader Omar Abdullah respects the sentiments and the pen of sober journalists.(Alas, this quality of sobriety is , however, missing, from your letter) I may point out that Omar Abdullah is a straight shooting and talking man: he neither believes in nor chooses to engage in semantic quibbles- something you have chosen to commence your letter with. 
I choose to ignore your jibes and snide remarks and  focus on what you think are the substantive portions of your letter. I appreciate your fine sentiments and concern for Kashmiris but mere concern and articulation of these does not make for a sober critique. I was hoping that your letter would be in the nature of a robust critique. You, to the contrary paint a portrait that is gloomy, dark and foreboding.  The accusatory tone of your letter renders it in the nature of an elegiac litany of complaints. I wish that there was more substance to it. How easy it is to criticize and accuse and write irresponsibly. This was the least I expect from you. 
This too, however, could be allowed to pass but for the projection of irrational and gratuitous diatribes. You do not insinuate in the letter; you accuse and assert. Your assertions are in the nature of bandying about loose remarks that do not have a basis in fact. You accuse Omar Abdullah of kow-towing to Delhi with disregard for  his people. It does not stop here. The list of accusations is vast and unwarranted. You portray and present Kashmir as some sort of Kafkaesque jungle where the lives of people are determined by whimsical notions by those in authority and where most people live on the edge. You accuse Omar Abdullah of being a mute spectator to the sordid saga that was 2010 and even go so far as asserting that the protestors of 2010 would have listened if only Omar would have engaged them in the heat of the moment. How far from the truth and reality your speculative accusations are? 
You impute hypocrisy and dishonesty to the chief minister by saying that he was in the loop about the Guru hanging. To this absurdity, you add another layer of ludicrousness by asserting that you know this for a fact. If there is any truth to this, I would urge you to share this ‘fact’ even the public. Please go for it. Given that the Union Home minister has time and again said that Omar Abdullah was informed on the evening of 8th February, your speculative assertion just does not hold water unless you want to impute lies and deceit to the home minister as well. We have full faith and confidence in our leader. The ball is in your court now and the onus falls on you to prove this scurrilous assertion. 
The tone of your accusations suggests all is lost and that the future is laden with gloom and doom. Our government holds the opposite view. We have begun a political process and have seen Kashmir emerge from the detritus of insurgency and collapse of all institutions. Kashmir is not an easy place to govern and run. Uncertainty and surprise pervades all aspects of life here. It is under the Damocles' sword of uncertainty that we govern the place. And we have done well. This is not just self congratulatory but based on fact. If only you were probe deeper and look around the place with the eyes of a sober analyst, you would see for yourself and not write irresponsibly. 
Omar Abdullah cares for his people and their welfare animates him. He is doing a good job despite the immense structural obstacles that define the state. There are other political aspects which he is determined to overcome and take Kashmir to a pedestal where Kashmiris are able to live the good life- a life of dignity, honour , esteem and security. I do not want to provide you with a laundry list of what he has done and is doing. It is but obvious to all save those who choose view Omar Abdullah with jaundiced eyes.  We are confident and our conscience is clean. With these two important attributes, we have nothing to worry about except the welfare of our people. What, however, is a pity and is disturbing is the depth of your analysis: it leaves a lot wanting. 
Omar, as you know him, would have expected depth and gravitas. Neither is reflected in your letter. This is a shame. 
(Tanvir Sadiq is the Political Secretary to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah)

Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Mar 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Mar 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:00:00 IST