CM hosts Prez, praises amity in Jammu

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 18

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday praised the people of Jammu for upholding the tenets of harmony, inclusive sense, amity and brotherhood despite severe provocations.

Speaking at the civic reception hosted in honour of President Ram Nath Kovind, the Chief Minister said people of Jammu, during the toughest phases in the past three decades, had stood for tolerance. She said when many people left Kashmir valley in the 1990s, people of Jammu not only opened their hearts to them, but also their homes. “Gujjars, Paharis, Pandits and Muslims are living here without any apprehension. It’s a rare example of amity which hardly finds any parallels in the contemporary world,” she said.

Referring to the Kathua case, Mehbooba said she was humbled to see the vehemence with which every section of society had united in fight for justice to the victim. “They stood up for justice irrespective of their religion and called the victim their own daughter. I salute them for this and for defeating the nefarious designs of vested elements,” she said in her speech. Mehbooba thanked the President for visiting the state. Governor NN Vohra also spoke on the occasion.

The event was attended by First Lady Savita Kovind, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar, Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, Legislative Council Chairman Haji Anayat Ali, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Chief Secretary BB Vyas, DGP SP Vaid; and senior civil and police officers.