Omar Abdullah criticizes Delhi security restrictions and internet suspension

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday criticized the stringent security restrictions and internet suspensions in the national capital ahead of a planned protest, remarking that the “Kashmir model has been exported to Delhi.”

Authorities ordered a 24-hour mobile internet blockade in central Delhi starting Friday night ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s scheduled protest on Saturday.

Taking to social media, Abdullah wrote, “Kashmir model has been exported to Delhi. Welcome to the New Delhi, modelled on New Jammu & Kashmir,” referencing the region’s history of communication shutdowns.

Abdullah was in Delhi to attend a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders with President Droupadi Murmu. Speaking to reporters, he questioned the integrity of the electoral process, stating that elections form the foundation of democracy. “If elections aren’t fair, then how is it a democracy?” he asked.

Reiterating demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the National Conference leader called for the reversal of voter list deletions aimed at benefiting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. He also urged authorities to restore older voter lists and reform the electoral process.

Abdullah alleged that instead of the Election Commission responding to inquiries directly, answers were being delivered by the BJP. “The relationship is such that the BJP is speaking on behalf of the EC,” he said.

Following the delegation’s meeting with President Murmu, the Chief Minister recalled that his party had previously challenged the EC’s conduct during the Jammu and Kashmir delimitation exercise. He claimed the delimitation was carried out solely to benefit the BJP, noting that the party secured six of the seven newly added seats.

“We’ve been saying since then that the Election Commission was colluding with the BJP to distort the people’s mandate in J&K. The same pattern is continuing,” Abdullah said.