Jammu, Nov 28: In a rare display of communal harmony amid political tension, a Hindu family from Jammu has gifted a five marla plot of land to a Muslim journalist whose house was demolished a day earlier by the Jammu Development Authority.
The land was donated by Kuldeep Sharma, who handed over the ownership documents to the victim through his daughter. A video of the moment has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention as a symbol of unity in the wake of the controversial demolition drive.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma sharply criticised the BJP, alleging that divisive politics cannot fracture the social fabric of Jammu. He said Hindus and Muslims in the region have lived as brothers for generations and no political party can alter that reality through hatred or fear.
He also lashed out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, suggesting that he should step down if he is unable to exercise authority over government departments. Sharma said if the administration could not prevent such demolitions, then remaining in office served no purpose.
The donation comes at a time when the Jammu Development Authority and the Chief Minister are facing intense criticism over what opposition leaders and civil society members have described as a targeted demolition aimed at a particular community.
Abdullah has publicly accused Raj Bhawan-appointed officials of acting without the consent of the elected government, alleging that the demolition drive was designed to defame his administration and selectively target a community. He has questioned the pick and choose approach of the authorities and challenged JDA to make public a complete list of encroachments across Jammu.
The journalist whose house was demolished said the gesture by Sharma’s family restored his faith in humanity and showed the real face of Jammu’s people, contrasting sharply with the fear created by exclusionary politics.
Locals described the act as a powerful rebuttal to the narrative of communal division and said the incident proved that brotherhood on the ground remains stronger than political polarisation. [KNT]
