‘Don’t Blame Us For What Happens’: J-K CM Omar Tells Centre After Clash With Police; Mamata, Stalin Condemn Incident
Dramatic scenes unfolded in Srinagar on Monday after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was manhandled by police while attempting to pay tribute at the Martyrs’ Graveyard. The incident triggered a political firestorm, with sharp criticism directed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government and demands for an apology from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Speaking to NDTV after videos emerged showing police grappling with him and his cabinet colleagues, an irate Omar Abdullah came down heavily on the BJP. He described the action as a “foolish, short-sighted decision” by “idiots” and reiterated his demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
The National Conference leader, who led his party to a decisive victory in last year’s Assembly election—the first in the region in a decade—warned the BJP not to underestimate the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is not about what happened to me… or my colleagues. This is about the wider message that you are sending to the people of Jammu and Kashmir – that their voice doesn’t matter,” Abdullah said.
“You are going out of your way to tell the people of Jammu and Kashmir that they are ‘powerless’… but they are not. Don’t blame us for what happens,” he warned, adding, “If they had just let us go quietly to offer prayers… then this would have been a non-issue.”
Referring to the events of July 13, 1931, Abdullah said, “They were protesting against the British rule just like anyone else in the country at that time… but you treat them as ‘villains’… you treat them differently because they are Muslim.”
He further cautioned the Centre to remember the political fallout. “So tomorrow, if you have an election and 20 per cent come out (to vote) instead of 60 per cent, please remember this day and remember who to blame… if you are going to continue to mess with democratically-elected institutions… to project them as ‘powerless’, don’t expect a result like Delhi.”
J&K LG’s Failure Took Us To The Brink Of War: Omar Abdullah On Pahalgam Attack Aftermath
When asked whether the recent terror attack in Pahalgam could become a pretext for the Centre to delay granting statehood again, Abdullah pointed to the public admission of responsibility made by the Lieutenant Governor. “What happened in Pahalgam was not my failure. The Lieutenant Governor admitted it was his failure. It was the LG’s failure,” he told NDTV, adding that the consequences of that lapse “took us to the brink of war.”
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly civilians, and was attributed to Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Despite the security concerns, Abdullah insisted that the issue must not be used to hinder Jammu and Kashmir’s return to statehood. “We have plans if this promise is not fulfilled. We have ways to get our voice to Delhi… democratic and peaceful means will be used,” he said.
CPI(M), CPI, Mamata Banerjee, Stalin Slam Police Action, Demand Apology
The incident drew condemnation from several opposition parties. In a strongly worded statement, the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) criticised the police’s conduct and the Centre’s handling of the situation.
“The central government headed by the BJP is trying to enforce its own diktats and regressive points of view, an example of which is the abolition of the holiday on Martyrs’ Day. On the other hand, the birthday of the Maharaja, responsible for killing freedom fighters, is declared as a holiday,” the CPI(M) said, as per news agency PTI.
They accused the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the central government, of obstructing the functioning of the democratically elected state government and demanded an apology for the treatment of the Chief Minister and political leaders. The party also called for the reinstatement of the holiday on Martyrs’ Day and respect for the democratic rights of the people.
CPI General Secretary D Raja shared an image of Omar Abdullah scaling the graveyard’s gate and remarked, “It is utterly unacceptable that in Jammu & Kashmir, the LG’s administration and J&K Police prevented even the elected Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with citizens and leaders, from paying their respects at the Martyrs’ graveyard on July 13, arresting and manhandling them.”
Raja further stated, “Adding to this insult, numerous leaders were placed under house arrest, silenced within their own homes on a day of collective remembrance… It’s a blatant assault on our conscience and a reminder of how far governance in J&K has fallen under authoritarian unaccountable rule.” He also echoed the demand for immediate and unconditional restoration of statehood “so that the people’s representatives can truly serve, instead of being silenced and subjugated.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her anger, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “What is wrong in visiting the graveyard of martyrs? This is not only unfortunate, it also snatches the democratic right of a citizen. What happened this morning to an elected Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah is unacceptable. Shocking. Shameful.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also joined the chorus as he called the situation "a grim reminder of how far things have deteriorated."
"The elected CM Hon'ble @OmarAbdullah is being placed under house arrest simply for wanting to pay homage to the 1931 martyrs and is forced to climb walls to do so. Is this how an elected Chief Minister should be treated? This is not just about one state or one leader. From Tamil Nadu to Kashmir, the Union BJP Government is systematically stripping away the rights of elected State Governments," he alleged.
"If this can happen in Kashmir, it can happen anywhere, to any elected representative of the people. Every democratic voice must unequivocally condemn this," the DMK chief added.
Security forces had reportedly sealed routes to the graveyard from Khanyar and Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar, prompting the Chief Minister to scale the main gate to enter the premises. The gate was later opened.
The confrontation has once again brought to the fore deep political and symbolic divisions in Jammu and Kashmir, with mounting demands for the Centre to honour its promise and restore statehood without further delay.
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