Sheikh Abdullah’s Image Removed From Police Medal

SRINAGAR, (IANS) – The J&K administration’s decision to remove the image of National Conference founder, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, embossed on the J&K police medal for gallantry and meritorious service, has evoked diverse response.

Authorities on May 24 announced that the police medal for gallantry and meritorious service will now bear the national emblem.

The order came after the UT administration in January 2020 changed the name of the police medal for meritorious service by removing Sher-e-Kashmir, a reference to Sheikh Abdullah, to ‘Jammu and Kashmir police medal for gallantry and Jammu and Kashmir police medal for meritorious service’.

After the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Sheikh Abdullah’s birthday on December 5 was deleted from the list of public holidays in J&K.

Leaders and activists of the NC argue that the decision to remove Abdullah’s name from medals and holiday list is part of BJP’s politics, which is aimed at targeting the identity and history of the Kashmiri people.

NC spokesman Imran Nabi Dar said that such moves will not affect the popularity of the late Sheikh Abdullah. “You cannot change history by trying to remove names of icons,” Dar said.

Arch-rivals and most bitter opponents of the NC in the Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party have also taken exception to the decision taken by the authorities.