Jammu & Kashmir National Conference chief Omar Abdullah on Monday accused the Centre of “strangling democracy” after Delhi Police denied permission for his party’s peaceful protest demanding restoration of J&K’s statehood. The protest was planned at Jantar Mantar on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session but was blocked by authorities.
Omar Abdullah, accompanied by senior NC leaders including Farooq Abdullah, attempted to march towards the Constitution Club. Police stopped them midway, forcing Omar to take an autorickshaw and stage a dharna on Ashoka Road. Videos of him riding the auto quickly went viral, symbolising resistance against restrictions on peaceful protest.
“We were stopped from protesting peacefully for what is rightfully ours, but we were not silenced. This is only the beginning of our struggle for statehood, our rights, our dignity, and everything that was taken away from us,” Omar Abdullah said while addressing supporters.
The NC has repeatedly reminded the Centre of its promise to restore full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, a commitment made in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. Omar Abdullah accused the government of breaking this promise and suppressing democratic voices.
The protest, however, highlighted NC’s political isolation. Many INDIA alliance partners did not join the march, while other opposition activities in Delhi overshadowed the NC’s demonstration. Rival PDP leaders criticised the choice of Delhi as the protest site, arguing that mobilising people in Kashmir would have sent a stronger message.
Despite the setback, Omar Abdullah vowed to continue pressing for statehood, asserting that the denial of peaceful protest only strengthens their resolve. The autorickshaw ride has now become a symbolic image of defiance against curbs on democratic rights.
