Senior People’s Conference leader Imran Reza Ansari took Omar Abdullah to the cleaners for making some remarks about Jannat at a rally in Budgam. Chiding Omar, the People’s Conference (PC) leader, said that Omar should desist from commenting on religious issues. “If you ask me, you have done everything that qualifies for the exit of a person from Islam. We have never touched your personal life,” Ansari said in a message posted on X (@imranrezaansari).
I was taken aback by some comments made by @OmarAbdullah in Budgam during a rally. I normally try not to react. But since it comes within the domain of our religion, I felt as a keen adherent and student of Islam I should intervene. During the rally Omar Abdullah said that these…
— Imran Reza Ansari (@imranrezaansari) March 28, 2024
Ansari is a senior Shia leader with a large following and has devoted considerable time to studying Islamic theology. “Since it comes within the domain of our religion, I felt as a keen adherent and student of Islam, I should intervene. During the rally, Omar Abdullah said that these A team, B team etc may get a certificate of election but they will not get a certificate of Jannat,” Ansari wrote.
Abdullah’s remarks about the A team, B team, etc., caused a strong reaction. Sajjad Lone’s PC, of which Ansari is the general secretary, is often called the B team of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kashmir. Abdullah’s B team remarks touched a raw nerve, resulting in this terse message.
Ansari said, addressing Abdullah: “And please don’t refer to religion. You neither know nor are you a practitioner.” He also alluded to Abdullah’s dynastic lineage and remarked: “Stop acting like a feudal lord and reject the notion that it was your family’s turn after the Maharaja.”
It may be mentioned here that Omar is the grandson of Sheikh Abdullah, who founded the National Conference (NC). The Late Sheikh Abdullah, his son Farooq Abdullah, and grandson Omar have remained Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at different times. As such, the Abdullah dynasty is sometimes a jibe that Omar faces. Some days ago, Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to Abdullah as a dynast when he remarked about the “parivaarwad” in J&K.
Ansari had a dig at Omar’s grandfather, Sheikh, saying: “I have to caution him the era of astaghfirullah- “la-ila-ha il Lalah Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah” is over and so is the era of myths that Sheikh Abduallh name was written on Chinar leaves. That deception is simply not possible now.” At one time, decades ago, the NC cadres spread the word that Sheikh had divine blessings, and his name appeared on Chinar leaves. It is also common knowledge that despite claiming to be secular, Sheikhs often used to recite the Quran at public gatherings to sway people and garner votes.
Ironically, Sheikh had spoken several times against the dynasty during some of his addresses. Speaking in the Constituent Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir on June 10, 1952, Sheikh said: “After the passing away of the Prophet of Islam (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) what we find that the very first Caliph (Hazrat Abu Bakr) who was appointed was neither the son of the Prophet nor was he related to him.” (Constituent Assembly Debates, Volume I, Page 385).
Sheikh said greatness was not hereditary, and he elaborated on his remarks: “Although the relatives of the Prophet were there, none of them was made the Caliph.” He added that this “brilliant ray could not last long”, and “the principle of hereditary rulership” was revived. Sheikh had made the speech during discussions on setting up a Drafting Committee.
It bears mention here that Sheikh needed to be more truthful and distorted facts to suit his convenience. Abu Bakr was Prophet Muhammad’s father-in-law through his daughter Aisha (third wife). Thus, Sheikh’s claims that the first Caliph was not related to the Prophet are untrue and contrary to facts. The Prophet had declared Abu Bakr to be his successor in an indirect way, asking the latter to lead the prayers when he (the Prophet) was very ill.
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