The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Thursday urged President Ram Nath Kovind to sack Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy for making an appeal to boycott “everything Kashmiri” following the Pulwama terror attck in Jammu & Kashmir which killed 44 CRPF troopers.
In a statement as reported by The New Indian Express, the CPI(M) said the Meghalaya Governor, “in yet another outrageous statement, has endorsed a call for a boycott of Kashmir and Kashmiris in the wake of the Pulwama tragedy. This comes at a time when Kashmiris, particularly students, in various parts of the country are being attacked, tormented and forced to leave.”
Also read: Meghalaya Governor’s another shocker: ‘Boycott everything Kashmiri’
Governor Roy, who has made headlines several times for making controversial comments, on his Twitter handle on February 19, 2019 made the appeal. The Governor asked people not to visit Kashmir and go to Amarnath for the next two years.
He also appealed not to buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter.
An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don’t visit Kashmir,don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri.
I am inclined to agree— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) February 19, 2019
The CPI-M also stated: “The Governor holds a Constitutional office. As the representative of the President of India, he is expected to act as the custodian of the Indian Constitution.”
Requesting President Kovind to sack Roy, who is the constitutional head of Meghalaya, the CPI(M) stated: “This is not the first time he has made public comments which disgrace the post he holds and violate the fundamentals of the Indian Constitution. This is a transgression that is unacceptable. The President of India must immediately sack him.”
Immediately after his comments, Roy drew sharp reactions from former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
Omar Abdullah had tweeted: “People like Tathagata want Kashmir but without Kashmiris. They’d sooner see us driven in to the sea. He’ll be best placed to know he can’t have one without the other so what’s it to be?”
Former J&K CM Abdullah also questioned Roy: “These are the bigots driving Kashmir over the abyss. While you are at it Tathagata why don’t you stop using our rivers to generate your electricity as well?”