Srinagar, April 02: National Conference MLA Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri’s emotional outburst in the Assembly over the reservation issue sparked a sharp political reaction on Thursday, with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary dismissing it as “drama” while BJP leader Ravinder Raina offered sympathy support.
Dr Veeri, the Bijbhara MLA, had on Wednesday broken down on the floor of the House while pleading with the government to allow introduction of his private bill on reservation reforms, narrating how his son left for London citing lack of opportunities.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary hit out at his own party colleague, accusing him of misleading the public.
“The government had already acted on its commitments. A sub-committee was set up by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to examine the reservation issue. Its report was finalised, approved by the Cabinet and sent to the Lieutenant Governor,” Deputy CM told Kahsmir Convener outside the assembly.
He said the report is with the LG and if Veeri was serious, he should have approached the LG instead of indulging in theatrics. “The National Conference remains committed to resolving the issue with fairness,” he added.
BJP senior leader Ravinder Raina, however, struck a sympathetic note.
“کچھ تو لوگ کہیں گے، لوگوں کا کام ہے کہنا۔ I know my friend Dr Bashir Veeri Sahib is an emotional person. Don’t lose heart, dear! Who dares, wins,” Raina said.
Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi appeared to take a dig at the Deputy CM’s response, posting in Urdu on social media: “Na tum mein woh wazan tha, na koi rooh ki baat — Tum meri khata ka bas bura sa nateeja ho.”
Ruling party colleagues downplayed Dr Veeri’s absence from the House on Thursday. MLA Hilal Akbar Lone said the reasons for Veeri’s absence were best known to him.
“He is a very good MLA. The matter had already been taken up. He should not have done this. Today he is absent, tomorrow he will be back with us,” MLA Lone said.
Another National Conference MLA, Irshad Rasool Kar, said Veeri’s move was not right and the leadership should not be doubted when the issue was already under consideration.
MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Baigh described Dr Veeri as a “very close friend” and “brother” while cautioning that any hasty decision on reservation policies could trigger widespread protests.
“He may be an emotional person, but with these emotions, it is very important to be realistic. The person who is the head of the National Conference, whose agenda was to address this issue, will not lack concern. If you were in his place, there will be repercussions. There will be a challenge in the courts,” Baigh said.
Notably, Dr Veeri had on Wednesday pleaded with the government to allow introduction of his bill, demanding increasing the share of open merit to 65 per cent, implementing the Indira Sawhney judgment, and removing disparities in EWS, ALC, and RBA categories.
“I have only one son. He has left for London. He told me, ‘Papa, I will not return — there are no avenues for us’,” an emotionally charged Veeri had said.
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