Suffered in silence for the past eight months: Omar Abdullah

The ruling National Conference (NC) on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) upped the ante against Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying he “suffered silently for the past eight months”.

“We suffered in silence for the past eight months but did not complain. It’s for what happened yesterday that you (people) came to know about our reality. But don’t misconstrue our decency for weakness. We don’t talk loudly, threaten or resort to gundagardi (hooliganism) but that does not mean we are weak. My strength is my people. I will always safeguard my strength,” Mr. Abdullah, who was addressing a function at the Jhelum Valley Medical College in Srinagar, said.

Mr. Abdullah was referring to the L-G administration’s security measures to stop the Chief Minister and the Ministers from visiting the graveyard where 22 civilians, killed during the 1931 uprising against the Dogra ruler, are buried. On July 14, there were dramatic images where Mr. Abdullah was seen climbing a wall to reach the graveyard and a police officer pushing him in a bid to stop him from paying tributes.  

“They (administration) tried their best to raise barricades on July 14. No barricade will push us away from our goal. We will work towards realising the dignity and dreams of people of Kashmir. There will be no sell out with the dreams of our people. It’s no favour we are ruling Jammu and Kashmir. It’s because of Allah and our people we are here today,” Mr. Abdullah said.

It’s for the first time since Mr. Abdullah won elections in October 2024 after a prolonged Central rule that he upped the ante to this high pitch against L-G Mr. Sinha, who retains the powers to transfer employees, both State and Central services, and spearhead the security forces in the union territory. 

Sharp reactions

The dramatic images of Mr. Abdullah being heckled and disallowed to reach the graveyard in Srinagar evoked sharp reactions from national leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav. 

“At a time when there is a growing demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, the current events unfolding there are a grim reminder of how far things have deteriorated. If this can happen in Kashmir, it can happen anywhere, to any elected representative of the people. Every democratic voice must unequivocally condemn this,” Mr. Stalin said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) described the actions against the sitting Chief Minister as “an insult to democracy”.

“This land saw countless sacrifices for freedom and the Constitution. Under the same Constitution, Mr. Abdullah’s government was elected by the people. Any insult to Mr. Abdullah is an insult to democracy, an insult to India’s democracy, and an insult to the people who gave us their mandate,” said Mr. Choudhary.

Mr. Choudhary said any insult or humiliation of our leader would not be tolerated. “We will not stay silent. What happened yesterday whether people speak up about it or not is an insult to every Indian who cast their vote,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister said one day the L-G, like taking responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, might even say that what happened with Omar Sahib was wrong. “The police are under his control and acted unjustly. He (L-G) owes an apology for what happened yesterday,” he added.

Referring to Mr. Sinha’s recent statement accepting responsibility for the security lapse in the Pahalgam terror attack, Mr. Abdullah said, “Someone has to be held responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack and now that the security lapses have been accepted.”