The Deputy Chief Minister of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, has denounced the police manhandling of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and preventing him from paying tributes to July 13 martyrs, calling it a shameful insult to democratic norms. Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Choudhary criticized the Lieutenant Governor for his continued silence, pointing out that while it took 82 days to acknowledge the Pahalgam attack, the LG has yet to address the unjust treatment of Omar Abdullah at the hands of the police, for which he owes a public apology.

“This is not just an insult to Omar Sahib, who is an elected Chief Minister,” he said.  “It is an insult to democracy in Kashmir, an insult to India’s democracy, and an insult to the people who gave us their mandate.” When asked about the ongoing concerns regarding statehood, the Deputy CM responded firmly, “Statehood is a separate issue. But if anyone thinks they can insult our leader or humiliate him, and we’ll stay silent let me make it clear: neither will we tolerate it, nor will the people of [occupied] Jammu and Kashmir.”

He added, “What happened yesterday whether people speak up about it or not is an insult to every Indian who cast their vote.” The remarks follow restrictions placed on political leaders, including Omar Abdullah, from paying tributes in Srinagar on July 13 a move that has sparked outrage across political circles.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)