"Temporary Guests": Omar Abdullah Hits Back On Martyrs' Day Restrictions
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the local administration for restricting his access to a martyrs' graveyard on Martyrs' Day. Abdullah accused the government of religious bias and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring statehood.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing political tensions between the elected state leadership and the centrally-appointed administration in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hit out at the Lieutenant Governor (LG) administration for denying him access to visit the martyrs' graveyard to pay homage to the martyrs of 1931. Abdullah alleged that the martyrdom of those who had fought against the British in Kashmir is being ignored only because they were Muslims, and the Maharaja under British paramountcy was a non-Muslim.The area around Martyrs' Graveyard in downtown Srinagar was sealed today, and no one was allowed to enter the area after police declared it a no- go zone. Then Abdullah, his ministers, MLAs and other party functionaries held a meeting to pay homage to martyrs at the national conference headquarters.
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