Reservation, Article 370, and NC’s manifesto progress | Salman Sagar on The Kashmir Notebook Ep 14

Added: 2026-05-14

[00:00:04]Hello and welcome to the Kashmir notebook a special frontline broadcast with goar gillani.

[00:00:13]This is our 14th episode. As you have been noticing that we interview politicians, newsmakers and novelists and people from the academia and also social activists. But this time we are interviewing one of the prominent national conference leaders who is also member of the legislative assembly from the Hazatbal constituency. His name is Mr. Salman Sager. Welcome to the show Svat.

[00:00:41]>> Thank you.

[00:00:42]>> So we have been meaning to speak to you on various issues especially because you are uh in the you are part of the ruling government with 40 plus MLAs. So the first question I would like to ask you is you have been following what happened in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam. U so there has been sort of a political earthquake in West Bengal. Um with BJP coming uh to power with a thumping majority and Assam it was expected what would happen in Assam. But Tamil Nadu also has thrown a surprise by giving mandate to uh a film actor Vijay. So are these developments a concern for you that something like this can happen in Kashmir in the future as well?

[00:01:29]>> No. I think uh I treat Kashmir rather we treat Kashmir differently as far as electoral politics is concerned. Reason being uh there are for that matter there are a number of reasons for that. uh normally Kashmir voter doesn't follow the trend which is normally in the across India uh in that case uh I think they always prefer regional parties most of the time they prefer regional parties uh whether it is national conference most of the time it was national conference alhamdulillah we are in power today so I think it's always uh in Kashmir edge will always be uh towards regional parties BJP is trying hard. In fact, Congress tried hard uh to form government of its own in knowh previous times but they could not. As far as rest of India is concerned or elections of West Bengal and Nadu are concerned, Assam are concerned. Assam we were expecting almost same results. Bengal uh BJP managed this and they created such a euphoria that they will win this elections and uh above all I don't think this is uh as you said earthquake I think something very normal because uh TMC ruled for 15 years in Bengal >> so you see anti-inccumb as a factor >> we should consider this as an anti-inccumbman factor maybe u some agencies might have helped BJP to gain in know some seats to have edge over some seats whether it was sir or whether it was something else but by and large I feel it was it is a normal democratic process where BJP got mandate anti-inccumbenty and BJP tried its best uh to use their power and to resources machinery to resources and they are mashallah very you know what do you say organized in uh that case and as farad is concerned Again there has been trend in fast in Tamil Nadu as well whether that was MJ Ramachand whether that was Jay Alita. So this is not something new.

[00:03:41]Again this is not something new in Tamil Nadu. Uh by and large I would see as as a you know normal democratic process which keep on going. You know we we have seen governments coming and going in Tamil Nadu. They have always given chance to different political parties normal DMK.

[00:04:01]>> It is all normally it was always between DMK and AIMK. So let's consider it as a normal democratic process where people decide who to vote.

[00:04:10]>> In the case of West Bengal, the Communist Party of India for example ruled almost for three decades with people like Joti Basu or Buddhave at the helm of affairs. So after like you know voter fatigue with the communists for 28 years then they threw their weight behind the TM TMC. Uh so you are saying that it's a normal democratic process um that governments come and go. So now let's have some focus on Kashmir. Uh in Jammu and Kashmir if you speak to young people, young boys and girls in the university or in the colleges there one of the main issues is about reservation.

[00:04:49]So if I may take the liberty of reminding you about the two two things that you mention in your manifesto. One is promising one lakh jobs to the youth and second is that the reservation policy will be reviewed and if any injustice is there it will be reviewed.

[00:05:10]What is the status on that?

[00:05:13]>> We are in process of doing uh reservation uh you know process.

[00:05:20]Government has done it job already. We were committed that uh we will start process of you know uh rationalizing this reservation coalition policy and honorable chief minister formed that committee headed by uh health minister and I think they have already sent report to honorable LG. Now this ball is in the court of uh leftnet governor. He is supposed to take call on that. But we are committed. We know how important it is to address this grave concern. It you know it affects everybody. It it rather affects every home. Yeah. This is this is case with me. My kids are going to appear in exams tomorrow. Right? Your kids are going to appear in exams tomorrow. This is not urban ruler divide. This is common concern. We are committed to do justice with you know open marriage students. We have we tried it is not uh no overnight we will change entire system >> but we are trying our best. Omar Sab's government is trying uh his best to make sure whatever promises we have made uh in our election manifesto even even beyond that it is not only manifesto now there is something called manif national council manifesto it's going this is you know good hot topic for everybody whether journalist or other political parties they are more interested in our manifesto rather than some of our good work >> there's a reason for that I I'll tell you Mr. saga. There's a reason why people talk about uh the manifesto or the national conference because as you know national conference for many people at least some sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir is not a political party. It has been a political movement if you consider the history of over 90 years right from 1931 when it was all Jammu and Kashmir Muslim conference and it was recristened as uh national conference in 1939. So if you calculate the number of years from now. So that's why if there are certain groups uh which focus mostly on national conference or what national conference promises in its manifesto I think it's only fair for them to expect uh certain things uh from the government and also because now you have almost completed 18 months in the government. It's not that you are new you are understanding the new system. So let me remind you uh about two things.

[00:07:41]one your own party leader one of the senior party leadershi who's also a member parliament he has been very vocal on this issue of reservation and in fact he led uh some youth protesters outside the chief minister Omarla's residence so there is also there are different views it's not only about the media or the civil society in your own party there are different views about this first and foremost thing all of us within our own party we must see the intention of honorable chief master whether his intentions are good or not.

[00:08:13]I believe uh he tried his best. He formed a committee even it was not easy for him to form that committee. Even it was not it is not easy for him to even withdraw one two or three person from other communities. You can understand you understand that very well. But he did it he did it as he promised in his manifesto and otherwise seeing no aspirations seeing emotions of youngsters he did it. uh he formed a committee they subed a report and we >> why isn't that been made public >> we are in process now I told you that is with uh LG the left governor >> that is with left governor s he has to take call there are certain things which we are not uh able to do because of dual power authority in the uh >> you mean the hybrid model of >> the hybrid model of whatever you call it hybrid model of governance these days there two power centers so we have our own limit invitations for senior leaders like I have a lot of respect for agarasab I really respect him a lot he's our he's our member parliament uh he's senior leader he remained MLA for uh three terms state minister for whom >> he was a cabinet minister in the past he knows the working of government particularly I don't think uh he needs to we need to tell him uh the situation on the ground how governments function uh in present uh setup So I as long as someone is raising concerns for betterment of people it is good. But if it is just to re create you know sensation among public then you mean >> we will leave it to the wisdom we will leave it to the wisdom of all those people. We leave it to the >> Aarula Mahi is not present here. We interviewed him in the past. So because he's not present here to present his >> I told you I told you I have a lot of respect for him. I met him a number of times. We discussed this reservation also. I have a lot of respect for him.

[00:10:10]He's people's manna. He has his own standing. He is a religious leader.

[00:10:17]>> But uh as a as as far as party is concerned, we need to maintain a certain you know discipline.

[00:10:23]>> Discipline in party in case everyone goes and talks about you know things in public and goes to media that that is what lot of agencies wanted outside.

[00:10:32]>> Okay. So let's come to another part of it. uh whatever changes happened the political landscape when uh it was altered in August 2019. So the elections happened in 2024 which was 5 years later. So you understood that you were fighting these elections in a new atmosphere. So there was a new arrangement and there was the reorganization act. So it was not something that you came to know about now after 18 months. So let me tell you certain things. So I am quoting uh this um verse from your own manifesto which says so it's lot of you know lofty ideal there where you say the destination is not far away. So then you say in your manifesto that we will strive for the full implementation of the autonomy resolution passed by your party uh in the JNK assembly in 20 uh two 2000.

[00:11:29]Okay. And then you also say we strive to restore 370 and 35A and statehood as prior to August 5, 2019. And then you also say that we will endeavor to redraw the JNK reorganization act 2019. So this is not uh the media saying this is your own party's manifesto and despite the fact that you knew that you were working in a new arrangement. What is the progress on the on these fronts? See these are very you know sensitive issues and we are trying we must our government uh our leadership must be working uh you know behind the doors >> behind the doors behind the scenes on whatever we have said because we are going to fight elections again in after three and a half years. Yes, >> we are committed to what we have said.

[00:12:17]We are working on it. And I I I still remember honorable chief minister once said that he has some plan in his mind in case things don't go well.

[00:12:26]>> Uh he has some plan in his mind. So I believe he is working on it. It is not necessary that he will make everything public as on today.

[00:12:36]>> Maybe 2 months later, 3 months later, 6 months down the line, he will make certain things public whenever it is necessary. he's uh you know under oath to make things public when they are necessary. So I believe we are committed as you said uh uh when you were asking me just a while ago that this is not a political party. This is a movement. We have started in 1931 and we got people uh we got people you know that rid of that uh shaky right that autocracy autocracy. So I I think we we are we still believe on those principles. We still believe that uh we need to work for people. We need to work for aspirations of people. We need to work for the sentiment of people. And sentiment is that we should get our powers back. Sentiment is initially it is uh stateood first then at the end of the day we need special protection from government of India. Things are not that easy now.

[00:13:32]>> We must understand that.

[00:13:34]>> But for Dr. Abdullah Abdulas our party on the whole entire leadership we are working hard. They are trying to do lot of things you know uh to break us to do you know a lot of things but still we are uh you know committed what we have said in our manifesto.

[00:13:54]>> So uh let's uh move forward and talk about two other important issues. You also say in your man uh uh manifesto that the how the employees have been terminated one by one uh without a due process that uh just one statement is issued that such and such person will no longer be a government employee. So you will change this policy of ter but as we understand and also intellectually speaking some things are not in your hands because but you knew it as I said that you knew that these things are not under your control. Then also you say apart from uh you know uh working on this issue of termination of uh unilateral termination of employees you also said that you will uh ensure and encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan. So now New Delhi would say that this is a foreign policy this is a foreign policy matter. So how have these things been mentioned in the manifesto where you would know that certain things are not your mandate? See I don't doubt governments particularly only with chief M's intentions of you know fulfilling all his promises but at the same time we were expecting government of India particularly BJP to be more liberal towards Jammu and Kashmir not in terms of providing us money >> but in terms of being good towards people of Jammu and Kashmir as far as their mandate is concerned they will consider political concessions they will consider special status they will consider certain things for which people have voted >> that is not happening as of now.

[00:15:23]>> I think that is the question you are asking me.

[00:15:26]>> So, uh we will fight for that. We'll strive we will strive very hard.

[00:15:30]>> We are not here like you know other uh like our other political uh opponents or just raising these issues only to gain public attention only to gain media attention while they are themselves responsible for this mess. Name even one who is not responsible. Name one of the opponents. Whoever is opposing who opposing our policies today, they were all part of 2014 government. Whatever part you name one party which was not part of other than CPI which was not part of you know 2014 uh you know alliance >> they are the they are the >> what you are trying to say is actually I think uh you mean the PDP was part of the coalition government and their allies in today's times it is this up party sajad sab's party they are the people who are responsible for whatever was done in 2019 >> so but okay I uh we are seeing also the bickering going on on social media between uh national conference and the PDP or between the people's conference and the national conference. There's a lot of like back and forth that you did this and you they say you did this. So but will this resolve the problem by blame game that you will go back to 2014 they will go back to 2018. It is for >> it is for them to decide not for us.

[00:16:46]>> Mhm.

[00:16:48]>> It is for them to decide. They have to see what they have done in 2014. We are going to reap that in for all for for all times to come.

[00:16:56]>> You have a damage done.

[00:16:57]>> Damage is whatever damage is done is because of them. And we are going to have you know taste this uh for all times to come. I guess as long as >> do you think the cost of uh whatever you say their mistakes or their alliance alliance has a huge huge cost that's very huge very huge rather very badly.

[00:17:16]It has cost us very badly >> and they should not politicize it. They should not try to you know uh exploit this uh for their uh benefits uh to being in opportunity to you know corer government because they are they are working in and they have to work in the system only >> which they are which they have created because of their follyies which they have created because of their being in power in 2014 BJP they got BJP here and let me tell them uh from your uh this uh interview uh they will never be forgiven it will never be for it is never it is not forgettable. They will never be forgiven and they should never be exonerated for this.

[00:17:54]>> Okay. Now let's come to some softer issues. Uh we're not talking about now the restoration of 370 or 35A. Uh there is also a mention in your manifesto about um the autonomy of the Sher Kashmir Institute of Medical Science and Skims. Is it in your control? Because you have not been able to restore the holiday the Gazid holiday in the name of your own leader Shik Muhammad Abdullah.

[00:18:18]you have not been able to restore the July 13 as a martr's day. So how will you restore the skim's autonomy?

[00:18:24]>> See no doubt this is not in uh within our competence as of now.

[00:18:30]>> That is why uh chief minister always uh no talks about statehood that we should get state. We are not initially we're not talking about 370 cuz probably this that will be a stage one >> once we are state that we'll be able to talk to government of India that we need certain concessions we need certain political you know uh uh you know what you call that uh you know asurances >> but once city is restored and once >> so are you saying that that has to be an incremental approach >> yes once city is restored we will start talking about 370 we'll talk start talking about special status even if it is 370 or something uh land rights uh you know land protection of land rights protection of our jobs but that is only when statehood comes we don't have statehood as of now there are certain departments there are there are universities there are certain departments there are certain institutions like Sikkims which are still under the control of uh leftnet governor we are facing these problems I will again say this all because what happened in 2014 but We have to put an end to this blame game.

[00:19:39]>> Mhm. So Mr. Sager, I am not even raising any questions as of now. I have not said that PDP is saying this or the people's conference is saying this or the up party is saying this or the communists are saying this. I'm only quoting things from your manifesto. I'm just trying to say where is the progress on your manifesto. Uh 18 months have passed out of 10. Now I understand that certain things will be done in 5 years. It's a gradual process. But how would you rate your own uh progress report out of 10?

[00:20:07]How many marks will you give on >> talking about as government on the whole or as >> entire governance and the given the promises that you have made in the manifesto?

[00:20:15]>> I'm sure we'll be able to do justice with our manifesto and we will be >> so how how many marks will you give to yourself?

[00:20:23]>> I will come to that. uh we'll be a we will do justice to the manifesto and we will be in a position that once we again go to people to seek their mandate again we'll be in a position to secure that mandate again now as far as putting it on scale I think this is not right time because it's only one and a half year so far in that >> you only have three and a half left >> we have a three and a half left it is way beyond the one and a half >> so you you you look at at the glasses half empty and half full >> so half empty and half full so I I I believe in that case as of now it is five out of 10 because it is one and a half year only >> but we I'm sure are referring to I'm sure I'm sure >> are you referring to the social welfare schemes like providing uh free bus rides or you know doing something as far as the marriage assistance is concerned raising marriage assistance I agree I mean uh as far as the social welfare schemes are concerned you can say that you have done something but let's come to another issue and it is restoring vak to the past glory. What is the progress on that? Will you be able to do >> you really think? Uh >> I have not written it. It is in your manifest.

[00:21:33]>> No, this is in your manifesto. We will we will we'll work for that. We are working for that. We are working on that is your constituency is my constituency.

[00:21:43]But unfortunately certain things BJP government at centers they are not allowing us to do that.

[00:21:50]they are creating lot of problems with regard to you know institutions like Bak financials like Sikkims uh >> so it's not only the law and order that lies with him you're saying the work >> we have a chairperson at Bak with due regards to her uh whatever she is doing with due regards to her but this should be within the domain of uh local government popular government but that is not the case this is entirely handled and controlled by uh central Bak board which should not be the case. So we are working on that even it is we want uh chairperson uh from you know uh our party or some uh someone who who deserves to be there who is not there.

[00:22:35]>> So there are three other things that you mentioned uh three big words that you have used in your manifesto as a title.

[00:22:40]One is dignity.

[00:22:41]>> Yes.

[00:22:42]>> Second is identity and the third is development. So as far as the development thing is concerned, we may say that there is an argument you did something for the marriage assistance, you did something for free bus rides, you did something for electricity thing and you know or with respect to EWS uh economically weaker section but the two >> words the dignity and identity you have not been able to the critics would argue that identity that will be inshallah restored when special status is granted When statethood is uh you know again restored uh the aspirations expectations of people are met that is where dignity uh of people of Juman Kish will be the dignity we are talking about in our manifesto.

[00:23:30]>> We are I told you a number of times during our conversation we are working on that but it is not necessary that we make it public. There are certain things by you know while knowing in government there are certain things which we cannot make public each and every day. Maybe time will come sooner than later >> honorable chief Mra will come up with his you know mind that whatever he is doing whatever he is talking with government of India I guess uh he's working hard on it he's working hard on the manifesto his team is working hard uh it may take some more time but it is not that we are not following our agenda we are not following our manifesto both agenda as well as manifest >> let's go back to the reservation issue There has been recent uh times and again one of your uh senior leaders said that to invite attention of the uh chief minister Omar Abdullah uh on the issue towards the issue of reservation uh he jokingly said that uh we might have to arrange or organize a marathon. So it was said uh in a justest manner. Uh and the opposition says that uh there's criticism of I'm I'm also sure that this is not a fair question to you because it's a question actually directed at chief minister. So I'm not trying to put you on a spot but uh their their argument is that once it comes to important issues and we have seen chief minister organizing uh marathons or participating in marathons which is good for his fitness there's no problem in being a fitness freak but they're saying that it is happening at the expense of uh important issues. What would you say to critics and your political adversaries who are raising issue of reservation?

[00:25:11]>> They they have nothing to say. They have nothing to sell rather. Whoever is saying this, BJP failed to get their Hindu chief minister installed in Jammu.

[00:25:20]Now they are just trying to you know do talk something you know like what you have said again PDP and other parties A B C D teams which we used to call them during our election campaign and even today uh they have to hide their failures. They are not responsible opposition. They have to hide their failures. They have to hide what they have done in past. And as for these marathons and uh you knowitness fitness you know things are concerned I think everybody has his uh private space who should not interfere with someone private space. Fair but but beyond that uh he wants to promote tourism at the same time he want to promote fitness. uh we talk once uh if Governor Sab is doing this it is fine >> if Governor Sab is doing this at the expense of state exch organizing you know he's organizing these nashamans it is fine but chief minister is doing same thing >> he's attending marathons he's you know joining marathons for fitness and it is sort of against drug awareness one the person who goes in marathons person who runs 10 kilometers or 20 km or 40 km is a marathon. I guess >> uh he will not indulge in drugs. He will not indulge in bad things.

[00:26:45]>> If same is doing it, it is politically moderate. But if D is doing it, nobody's raising a finger.

[00:26:51]>> We support Governor Sab's initiative.

[00:26:53]>> I think there is also uh you know from my understanding I think why people are raising um objections to Omar's uh you know actions than for example the left governor is because a Omar has 40 plus MLAs. He has a mandate sort of he has won elections.

[00:27:10]>> Left governor isn't appointed. He's not somebody who has got votes. So I think it's from the people voters expectations >> he is appointed. He's enjoying more powers.

[00:27:20]>> Yeah. So now another question is uh Sajad loan recently said in a statement and he said that he would always say that Omarla is a tourist and then you voted for a tourist and that's how what you get. What would you say to criticism of this nature?

[00:27:37]>> For all his tourist remark, he could only secure one seat in assembly.

[00:27:43]>> So you are saying that disproportionate to his stat stature.

[00:27:46]>> See that is what he got duras.

[00:27:51]>> Uh he's a colleague, he's a respected colleague >> but he got one seat and that to with a very uh limited margin, >> very small margin. So I think we should uh we should be very careful while you know >> you mean say there has to be some dignity in politics political >> dignity in politics. It it applies to me also it applies to Sajat Sab it applies to all of us in public life.

[00:28:15]>> Your own leader Tanir Sadi he's also an MLA very near to your constituency from um you know your your father is also a member of legislative assembly and he is from the Kanyar assembly constituency.

[00:28:28]So, Turvi Sadi recently challenged PDP for example saying uh they have to put their hands on uh the holy book. Um and there was a lot of criticism uh that why would why would you invoke religion in such things and then he on the press freedom day international day of press freedom there is also a lot of uh stuff that you have written in your manifesto uh by for example restoring press freedom but nothing is happening on that front as well. You so you see that press club has been actually uh it is put in abience uh it's no longer functional and Omarabla had actually promised to restore uh press club to its past glory.

[00:29:07]So what are your uh thoughts on these important factors? is officer is placed as director of information. I guess >> they do things uh according to their own choices and is officers are directly controlled. Their working is directly controlled by office of left and government and Delhi. So, >> so you were saying your hands are tied in certain matters >> left for us to talk about freedom of press, freedom of journalist and you know even rather we even my colleague Tanvir Sadi he and he raised these issues as a number of times with advertisements freedom of press in Jammu and Kashmir but again that is with I guess uh >> so are you saying that somebody else is calling the shots in these matters?

[00:29:51]>> Yes, it is true indeed someone else is calling. Then what would you say to Faruk Abdullah's statement that he said that NC is the only party which is a recent statement that will take Kashmir out of the current predicament. How will you assure your people?

[00:30:05]>> I second.

[00:30:07]>> I second my leader we have to fight.

[00:30:09]>> We cannot leave it. People have given us mandate. We have to fight. We cannot run away.

[00:30:13]>> We have no reason to run away. We have to fight elections again. We have to work on it. So are you how confident are you that you >> It took it took it took them 70 more than 75 years to take us take away from whatever they have taken away in 2019.

[00:30:27]Not only in 2019 in 634 in the 60s the sad rias for example the post of uh >> but whatever whatever they took away whatever they took away in 2019 it it was their dream for last 75 years for >> you mean the BJP why why our media man why our political opponents are asking us to uh undo everything whatever happened on 2019 how much >> whatever time it is not about me it is not about me being ML it's not about me my father being it's not even for Omar Sa to be CM that he will do it.

[00:30:59]>> He he can do it as a leader even only tomorrow.

[00:31:03]>> Tomorrow if you are confident that he can go back tomorrow if he's not CM does that mean he has no right to talk about 370 he has to he's a leader he he represents a political party which has almost record of 90 years of fighting for people of J. Last question. In the context of whatever you have mentioned in your manifesto, how confident are you that in the next three and a half years you will fulfill all the promises made and you will confidently go back to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the especially the voting population the people who vote uh that that you have achieved what you have mentioned in your manifesto. One thing is good that everyone each and everyone whoever who's who is who of our society they are obsessed with our manifesto which you which which was not case earlier uh during no other regimes. Nobody used to talk about manifestos quite often the way it is being uh you know talked about mentioned now >> we are committed we will fulfill our promises we have to go to people again and we are I'm very thankful to you as you initially said this is not a political party this is a movement we >> some sections see as a political movement absolutely some sections see at least you you know uh agree to that point some sections uh believe >> you have you have votes of people >> we have we We are committed >> to uh you know do what >> some also see you as architects of whatever has been taken away.

[00:32:29]>> Our opponent our opponents will keep on saying this till eternity. Oh we don't mind that we are here to serve people.

[00:32:36]We are here we are committed to serve people. We are committed to get back what we have lost 90.

[00:32:43]>> But that may it that may take some time.

[00:32:45]But in the last 70 years everything seems to have been lost from the post of Sadaras from the post of vaziraasam from you know your flag from the constitution.

[00:32:55]>> But my dear friends please keep on reminding people who are the people who were responsible who are the people who were at helm of affairs.

[00:33:02]>> There was no people's conference in 63.

[00:33:05]>> No no there was congress.

[00:33:06]>> Mhm.

[00:33:06]>> No doubt there was congress and there who was in congress.

[00:33:11]We mentioned that who was in Congress, who were the people when all those titles were taken away. Who were the people? This was a national conference.

[00:33:20]It was it was secure until people of Jammu and people of Jammu and Kashmir gave mandate national conference. The day they gave mandate to uh PDP BGP get into the scene they occupied and secreted and uh whatever was left they uh take away all that. Mr. Saga I thank you for your candidness and you know uh how candidly you answered our questions.

[00:33:46]I thank you very much. Thank you so much.

[00:33:47]>> So to our audiences please keep watching the Kashmir notebook. As you know this is the 14th episode. Keep writing to us uh for the improvement of the program and we love to hear from you again.

[00:33:57]Thank you very much.