Kashmiri leaders condemn curbs to scuttle protests

SRINAGAR, Jan 1: J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone today while questioning the J&K administration’s logic behind stifling peaceful protests, asserted that such actions go against the spirit of democracy.

In a series of tweets, Sajad said that “I can’t see any valid reason why the state administration should stop political parties from protesting. Isn’t right to protest intrinsic to the concept of a vibrant democracy.

“Not being critical. But state administration really needs to reassess and reevaluate. Democracy is a precious relic for which thousands have laid down their lives in the last 3 decades,” he said.

“Please do not unwittingly or erroneously damage it beyond recognition,” Lone said.

He further asserted that by stifling space for peaceful protests, the administration is inadvertently incentivising violent form of protest.

“Non-violent mode of protest in the context of violent strife needs to facilitated not stifled. If you stop political, non-violent protests what are you incentivising by default. You are incentivising and facilitating and setting the conditions for a violent form of protest”, he added.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir Saturday termed the house arrest of Dr. Farooq Abdullah as unethical & undemocratic.

Mir said keeping under house arrest prominent leader like Dr.Farooq Abdullah ahead of proposed sit in protest against delimitation commission draft was SHAM, unethical and against the basic foundation of the Indian democracy, which stands guarantee to freedom of speech and freedom of expression to every citizen.

“Indeed, a gift on the New Year’s Eve (2022) by the Govt,” Mir added and strongly condemned illegal house arrest of Farooq Saheb and others.

“Congress believes such undemocratic move is bound to further disappoint people of J&K, who have already lost faith in the present dispensation,” he said.

“Restraining leaders from protesting in a peaceful manner is indicative of hypocrisy on the part of BJP Govt,” JKPCC Presided said.

PDP
Peoples Democratic Party senior leader Rouf Bhat on Saturday it was unfortunate that they were not allowed to hold a peaceful protest for demanding their rights.

Talking to reporters during a protest march, which was later thwarted by police, Bhat said that it was unfortunate that they were not allowed to hold a peaceful protest.

“We want that Article 370 and 35A should be restored and the Kashmir issue should be solved once for all,” he added.

Notably, the PDP leader on Saturday held a protest against delimitation commission proposal and restoration of Article 370 and 34-A after PAGD leaders were put under house arrest.