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Omar Abdullah Disowns School 'Vande Mataram' Directive Ahead of J&K Bypolls

His comments follow a culture department call that drew objections from religious groups.

Overview

  • Abdullah said the cabinet did not approve school commemorations and insisted there should be no outside dictation on decisions about schools.
  • The culture department’s October 30 call to mark the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ prompted the MMU to seek its withdrawal as a coercive order conflicting with Islamic monotheism.
  • Campaigning in Budgam, the chief minister voiced confidence that the National Conference will take both Budgam and Nagrota in voting scheduled for November 11.
  • He reiterated a pledge to waive electricity bills for usage under 200 units and urged residents to install meters so consumption can be tracked.
  • Asked about the absence of MP Ruhullah Mehdi from canvassing, he said campaigning is voluntary, as NC candidate Aga Syed Mahmood Mosavi faces PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.