July 14 incident a blow to democratic institutions: Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah
termed the manhandling incident on July 14 as "shameful", saying people behind this have done "democracy no favours" as such episodes deeply erode public faith in the
electoral process
.
Abdullah
also spoke about his long-held view that the current dual model of governance in Jammu and Kashmir is "not an ideal form of government".
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Others
Data Science
Technology
Public Policy
healthcare
Management
Leadership
CXO
Healthcare
Finance
Project Management
others
Artificial Intelligence
Product Management
Degree
MBA
MCA
Data Science
Design Thinking
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
16 Weeks
Indian School of Business
CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
16 Weeks
Indian School of Business
CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
16 Weeks
Indian School of Business
CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
28 Weeks
MICA
CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
9 months
IIM Lucknow
SEPO - IIML CHRO India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
28 Weeks
MICA
CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
"What happened on July 14 was shameful. It should never have happened," Abdullah told PTI while referring to an incident at the
Martyrs' Graveyard
where he and his party colleagues were allegedly manhandled by police.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
Abdullah cautioned that the "implications and its ramifications will be felt long after" and said if "an elected head of government is being treated that way, imagine what that means for the regular citizens".
He voiced deep concern that the incident could lead to widespread disillusionment among voters. "Already I know for a fact that there are people who voted in the last two elections who are today asking themselves whether it was worth voting at all," he said.
Live Events
"It's not about me, it's not about the individual. It's about the office, it's about the institution, it's about the implications. And none of this bodes well for Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah said
He also took a dig at the BJP, highlighting what he perceived as hypocrisy. He said that the BJP itself was part of a government that commemorated similar events between 2015 and 2018.
"At that time, why did they not say all this? Because they wanted the fruits of power. So what does that tell you about their commitment and their ideology?" he asked.
Responding to criticism from the BJP on the comparison of 1931 martyrs with those killed by Britishers at
Jallianwala Bagh
, Abdullah said, "I don't agree with anything the BJP says or does. And they don't agree with what I do. Which is fine. That's the difference in our politics."
Abdullah also spoke about the ongoing discussions between his government and the Lt Governor's administration aimed at resolving operational differences, particularly concerning the long-awaited "business rules" that would clearly delineate powers and responsibilities within the Union territory's governance structure.
He said that his government has not overstepped its boundaries under the J&K Reorganisation Act and has not sought to intrude into the LG's expressly defined domains.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
9 minutes ago
- India.com
P Chidambaram's ‘Homegrown Terrorists' Remark Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead Of Op Sindoor Debate
New Delhi: A massive political storm has erupted ahead of the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, following remarks made by senior Congress leader and former Home Minister P. Chidambaram. In a recent interview with The Quint, Chidambaram questioned the official narrative surrounding the Pahalgam terror attack and suggested that the attackers could have been "homegrown terrorists." "Have they identified the terrorists? Where they came from? I mean, for all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There's no evidence of that," Chidambaram said, adding that the government has been unwilling to disclose what the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found so far. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, which has accused the Congress of once again 'giving a clean chit' to Pakistan. Reacting to Chidambaram's remarks, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said on X, "P Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that." "Once again, the Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan, this time after the Pahalgam terror attack. Why is it that every time our forces confront Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad's defence lawyers than India's opposition?" Malviya added. "When it comes to national security, there should be no ambiguity. But with the Congress, there never is – they always bend over backwards to protect the enemy," he said. P. Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: 'Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 27, 2025 BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed the criticism, saying, '26/11 to Surgical Strike to Pahalgam, Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath!' He accused the Congress of siding with Pakistan just hours before the crucial Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor. Chidambaram also alleged that the government is concealing details about India's counter-offensive, Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam massacre in which 26 civilians were killed in front of their families. He said the Centre was 'hiding the losses' India suffered during the operation. "They are also hiding the losses. I said it in a column that in a war, losses will occur on both sides. I understand that India would have suffered losses. Be upfront," Chidambaram said. Referencing World War II, he added: "Winston Churchill in World War II made a statement every other day. Whatever losses they suffered, Britain suffered; they made it plain. Therefore, they are reluctant to admit the losses. But losses are inevitable and natural in a war. So, admit the losses. I think they think they can put a large shroud on Operation Sindoor. It won't work." He further questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the issue: "And why is the Prime Minister not speaking on Operation Sindoor? Why do you think there's a reluctance to have a debate in the temple of democracy? That's what Parliament is. After all, Prime Minister Modi has addressed the nation. He's addressed various rallies." Chidambaram also raised questions about the ceasefire, implying that it wasn't initiated by India. "Because let's be honest, it was not the Indian government that announced it. It was Donald Trump," he claimed. Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood backed Chidambaram's statements, turning the criticism back on the government. "You stopped the forces. You brought India and Pakistan to the same level on the global stage. The terrorists are still alive. Aren't you ashamed? If the Pahalgam killers are alive, every Indian should be ashamed," Masood said. As the Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor begins, Chidambaram's comments are expected to be a major flashpoint between the ruling party and the Opposition.
India.com
9 minutes ago
- India.com
Parliament Monsoon Session Live: Lok Sabha to hold special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' today
Parliament Session 2025 Live Updates: After a week of interruptions, Parliament's Monsoon Session is finally expected to return to regularity today with a major debate likely to be on the agenda. The two key issues on the national security and foreign affairs agenda are the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Both the ruling BJP-led NDA and the Opposition are bracing for a fierce exchange in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha to hold special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' today Lok Sabha is set to hold a special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor', India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack on Monday. A fiery debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor is expected to unfold in Parliament, between top leaders from the ruling alliance and the Opposition. Lok Sabha List of Business for Monday states, 'Special Discussion on India's strong, successful and decisive 'Operation Sindoor' in response to terrorist attack in Pahalgam'. Twenty-six civilians were killed in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, after which India retaliated through precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Stay tuned for major updates about the Parliament Monsoon Session Twenty-six civilians were killed in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, after which India retaliated through precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Even since the monsoon session began on July 21, the Parliament has witnessed constant adjourments amid uproar over the demands of the opposition to push for a debate on issues of public importance, including the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack and the ongoing SIR exercise being carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
9 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Adhikari urges ECI to exclude domiciles issued after July 25 from WB's SIR
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari on Monday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, urging him to ensure that no domicile certificates issued on or after July 25, 2025, are accepted during the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls. Adhikari raised concerns about a potential voter list manipulation scheme in West Bengal. Over 70,000 Form-6 applications have been submitted in the past week, a significant increase from the usual 20,000-25,000, particularly in districts like Coochbehar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri. Adhikari suspected that the West Bengal Administration is issuing domicile certificates to Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, which could alter the voter demographics. In a post on X, Adhikari wrote, "A disturbing trend has emerged in West Bengal's border districts. Over 70,000 Form-6 applications have been submitted on average in the last week, a sharp rise from the usual 20,000-25,000, especially in Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, North Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, and North & South 24 Parganas districts. This surge, coupled with reports of Domicile Certificates being issued by the West Bengal Administration, raises serious concerns about the State Govt's unethical and illegal efforts in order to facilitate the legitimizing of the infiltrating Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, with the aim to manipulate our Voter Lists." In a letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Ashikari said that a significant and troubling rise in Form-6 applications across several border districts in West Bengal has triggered alarm bells over potential attempts to manipulate the state's voter rolls. "Over the past week alone, more than 70,000 applications have reportedly been submitted on average--an almost threefold increase compared to the usual 20,000-25,000 per week. The districts witnessing this unprecedented surge include Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, North Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, and both North and South 24 Parganas," the letter added. BJP MLA in a letter said, "This surge, coupled with reports of Domicile Certificates being issued by the West Bengal Administration, raises serious concerns about the State Govt's unethical and illegal efforts in order to facilitate the legitimising of the infiltrating Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, with the aim to manipulate our Voter Lists." "The integrity of our democracy must be protected and can't be allowed to get diluted for the vested interests of vote bank politics," the letter stated. It also emphasises that District Election Officers bear the constitutional responsibility of ensuring free and fair elections, with their loyalty lying with protecting the interests of the country. On Sunday, BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her Bhasha Aandolan "drama" to stop Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. On July 25, while addressing a gathering in Kolkata, Banerjee called for another 'Bhasha Aandolan', alleging that the Bengali-speaking people in other states are being called Banerjee "protector" of the Bangladeshi Muslims and alleged that a big chunk of her vote bank is" infiltrators, Bangladeshis and Rohingyas." "It is only a drama to stop SIR. Mamata Banerjee is a relative of the Rohingyas. She is the protector of Bangladeshi Muslims. A big part of her vote bank are infiltrators, Bangladeshis and Rohingyas", Adhikari told ANI. Earlier, at an event in Kolkata on July 21, Mamata Banerjee had also slammed the Election Commission of India, stating that the electoral body has removed 40 lakh people from the voters' list in Bihar and claimed that it wants to do the same in West Bengal as well. "ECI removed over 40 lakh names from the voters' list in Bihar, and now you want to do the same in Bengal? Try it, and we will launch a Gherao will not let this new law stand. We will fight, we will change it, we will not accept it", Banerjee said during her address. The Election Commission of India is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the state's assembly elections later this year. The ECI had clarified that names in the electoral rolls will not be deleted without a proper notice and written order by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), as per SIR guidelines. Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has revealed that approximately 35 lakh electors are either untraced or have permanently migrated from their registered addresses.
