Jammu, October 7 (KNS): National Conference Additional General Secretary and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed deep surprise, concern and dismay over the withdrawal of security cover to Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Surinder Choudhary, terming the decision as unprecedented, vindictive, and politically motivated.
In a hard-hitting statement issued here, Mr. Sadhotra questioned the wisdom and rationale behind such an extraordinary move and urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to make the reasons for this action public.
"The withdrawal of security cover from a person holding such a high constitutional position is not only baffling but also sends a very wrong message about the state of governance and political conduct in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Sadhotra reminded that security cover to Surinder Choudhary must have been provided after due assessment of threat perception by the agencies concerned. What has changed overnight that justified its withdrawal? he asked, emphasizing that such arbitrary decisions can endanger lives and erode public confidence in the administration's impartiality and professionalism.
Sadhotra sought to know who will take responsibility if anything untoward happens to the Deputy Chief Minister, saying that such a step is not merely administrative in nature but carries deep political overtones.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThis smacks of sheer vindictiveness and political vendetta, something unheard of in a democratic polity, he added.
The former minister said that the move to lower or withdraw security of a sitting Deputy Chief Minister is unheard of in the democratic history of the country, and such an act could set a dangerous precedent. He added that political differences should never be allowed to compromise personal safety or the dignity of public offices.
Reiterating that governance must rise above politics of vendetta, Sadhotra hoped the Lieutenant Governor to restore the security cover immediately, keeping in view the sensitive nature of Jammu and Kashmir's political and security landscape.
"The sanctity of democratic institutions must be upheld and protected at all costs," he said, cautioning that any attempt to intimidate or humiliate political representatives will be counterproductive and detrimental to the peace process.
"Security is a matter of professional assessment, not political convenience," Mr. Sadhotra said, calling upon the LG to act with fairness, transparency, and responsibility in all such matters.(KNS)