Srinagar, July 15: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday strongly condemned the events that transpired in Srinagar a day earlier, calling it a direct insult to democratic values and the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to media persons, Choudhary told news agency JKNS, “What happened yesterday was an insult to democracy. This land has seen countless sacrifices for freedom mothers lost their sons, sisters lost their brothers. We didn’t get this freedom so easily. Under that very freedom, under the same Constitution, Omar Abdullah’s government was elected by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“This is not just an insult to Omar Sahib, who is an elected Chief Minister,” he said. “It is an insult to democracy in Jammu and 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 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.”
On the recent statement by LG Manoj Sinha regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, Choudhary remarked: “LG Sahib acknowledged the Pahalgam attack after 82 days. One day, he might even say that what happened with Omar Sahib was wrong and that the police under his control acted unjustly. He owes an apology for what happened yesterday.”
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. (JKNS)
