
Left parties slam J&K L-G for ‘assault' on CM Omar Abdullah in Srinagar
The CPI(M) Polit Bureau, in a statement in New Delhi, said that the Central government headed by the BJP is trying to enforce its own diktats and regressive points of view. The abolition of holiday on Martyrs' Day is an example of this, it said. 'On the other hand, the birthday of the Maharaja, responsible for killing freedom fighters, is declared a holiday. The Lt. Governor appointed by the Central government is undermining the smooth functioning of the duly elected State government,' the Polit Bureau said.
The CPI(M) also criticised the house arrest of various J&K political leaders, including CPI(M)'s Yusuf Tarigami, who were prevented from paying homage to the martyrs. The party demanded that the holiday on Martyrs' Day be restored 'to respect and protect the democratic rights of the people of J&K'. It also demanded an apology from the Lt. Governor for the 'assault' on the CM.
'Breach of democratic norms'
CPI general secretary D. Raja said that the incident was 'utterly unacceptable'.
'This is not just a breach of democratic norms. It's a blatant assault on our conscience and a reminder of how far governance in J&K has fallen under authoritarian unaccountable rule. CPI demands immediate restoration of statehood — no ifs, no buts — so that the people's representatives can truly serve, instead of being silenced and subjugated,' he posted on X.
Mr. Abdullah, in a post on X, said that he was blocked from offering prayers at the graves of the martyrs on Sunday, at Naqsbandh Sahib shrine at Khawaja Bazar, where 22 civilians killed during an uprising against the Dogra ruler were buried. The Chief Minister scaled the fenced wall of the premises because the security forces had blocked the entrance of the graveyard. A police officer made a bid to stop him from offering 'fateha' at the graveyard.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Give me a year, I'll fix Bengaluru, says Surya as he slams tunnel road project
Bengaluru: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Monday launched a blistering attack on the govt, slamming its Rs 17,780 crore tunnel road project and insisting that if he "held as much power as the deputy CM for just one year," he would "solve all problems in Bengaluru". Surya, who represents Bangalore South in the Lok Sabha, called the tunnel project unscientific which serves the elite while burdening the masses. He said the 18km Hebbal-to-Silk Board tunnel road is for "crorepatis of Sadashivanagar and millionaires of Koramangala 4th Block". He said the proposed toll of Rs 660 and the Rs 7,100 crore viability gap funding makes the project economically unjustifiable. "Why should 90% of Bengalureans, who don't own cars, pay for something that only benefits 10%?" he asked. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru He said the tunnel would carry just 1,600 vehicles per hour if restricted to cars, while a Namma Metro line could transport 25,000 people hourly. "This is economic untouchability," he said. "Instead of easing traffic, this project will worsen congestion by encouraging more private vehicles." Surya accused the govt of bypassing due process by pushing ahead without clearance from Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA), mandatory under the BMLTA Act. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid WellnessGuide Learn more Undo "None of the goals under the Comprehensive Mobility Plan have been met, but they are still pushing this tunnel," he said. He alleged large-scale irregularities in preparation of the detailed project report (DPR), which cost Rs 9.5 crore but was allegedly copied from a BMRCL report that cost just Rs 1.6 crore. He said the feasibility report was prepared by a consultant barred in a Madhya Pradesh NHAI project, while the firm behind the DPR is facing a Rs 500 crore scam probe in Jammu and Kashmir. "The DPR was completed before the feasibility study," he said. He also lambasted Congress for neglecting core civic infrastructure. "Over 20 flyovers have been pending for five to six years. At this speed, it'll take 800 years to build 100 flyovers," he said.


The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Siddaramaiah takes umbrage at ‘not being invited' for Sigandur bridge inauguration; Gadkari hits back
Siddaramaiah told reporters in Bengaluru later in the day that he wasn't invited for the inauguration. 'I called Nitin Gadkari and he told me he would postpone the event. After that I also wrote a letter. I think the BJP pressured him and they have gone ahead with the inauguration,' he said. The chief minister said he had a prior engagement in Vijayapura. Earlier Monday, Gadkari inaugurated the 2.44-km cable-stayed bridge connecting Kalasavalli and Ambaragodlu. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 473 crore, it is the country's second longest cable-stayed bridge. Bengaluru: Allegations flew thick and fast as Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of disregarding protocol by not inviting him for the inauguration of Sigandur bridge in Shivamogga, even as Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari maintained that an invite was extended to the chief minister. In the letter he wrote to Gadkari on 11 July, Siddaramaiah said he was not consulted before finalising the state-level programme. Adding, 'As a sign of protest, none of us (from the government), including the PWD minister, district in charge minister or Sagar MLA will not attend the event.' I was not consulted before finalising the Shivamogga National Highway projects' dedication & foundation ceremony on July 14th, despite my name being included. Due to prior commitments in Vijayapura, I have written to Shri @nitin_gadkari requesting the event be rescheduled. — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 14, 2025 Gadkari shot back in a post on X, saying an official invite was extended to Siddaramaiah on 11 July. To mitigate any challenges with the chief minister's schedule, another letter was sent on 12 July, requesting his virtual presence, the Union minister said. Adding, 'The Central Government continues to uphold established protocols and has consistently appreciated the contributions and cooperation of the Government of Karnataka and the Chief Minister.' In a major step towards boosting regional connectivity, the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony for multiple key infrastructure projects is being held today in Shivamogga, Karnataka. An official invitation was duly extended to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri… — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 14, 2025 The Congress government in Karnataka has time and again accused the Narendra Modi-led central government of 'step-motherly' treatment towards the state. Siddaramaiah has championed the cause to demand higher share in central taxes and the devolution pool, arguing for a more equitable distribution of taxes collected from the states. The Congress has even used this line of reasoning to justify higher borrowings, besides big-ticket allocations for the party's five poll guarantees which cost the exchequer Rs 52000 crore guarantee each year. 'Even when the state government has contributed 75 percent of the project cost, like in Railways where we give the land and bear 50 percent of the cost, we invite the centre,' Siddaramaiah asserted Monday. From the BJP, the counter also came from former CM B.S. Yediyurappa's elder son B.Y. Raghavendra who is also the BJP MP from Shivamogga. Raghavendra said he invited Siddaramaiah for the inauguration of Sigandur bridge on 9 July. ಈ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ ಸನ್ಮಾನ್ಯ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಮುಂಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಅಂದರೆ ಇದೇ ತಿಂಗಳ ಜುಲೈ 09 ರಂದು ಅಂಬಾರಗೋಡ್ಲು – ಕಳಸವಳ್ಳಿ – ಸಿಗಂದೂರು ಸೇತುವೆ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆಗೆ ನಾನು ಗೌರವಯುತವಾಗಿ ಆಹ್ವಾನ ನೀಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಆದರು ಹಿರಿಯರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರು ಆಹ್ವಾನ ತಲುಪಿರುವುದು ತಡವಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕವಾಗಿ… — B Y Raghavendra (@BYRBJP) July 14, 2025 'It is acceptable to engage in mutual politics on various issues. However, making political remarks about the invitation letter reaching in advance, especially concerning a developmental matter, I consider it an insult to the people of the Sharavathi backwater region. I urge you to immediately retract your statement before the people of the state and make an effort to clarify the truth,' he wrote on X. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: After 35 yrs, Congress to revive campus elections in Karnataka to reclaim youth base, counter ABVP & Left


NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
AAP Vs BJP After Bishnoi Gang Claims Responsibility For Abohar Murder
Chandigarh: Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the opposition BJP are at loggerheads over the law and order situation, with gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria operating with impunity in the state. Today, the BJP's Union Minister Ravneet Bittu questioned why Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is not seeking custody of the gangsters involved in crimes in the state. Mr Bittu claimed that he would request Bhagwant Mann to get custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and other criminals. The Lawrence Bishnoi issue has sparked a political storm in Punjab since the murder of Abohar-based businessman Sanjay Verma on July 7. A co-owner of the 'New Wear Well Gents Tailor' showroom, Sanjay Verma was gunned down by three assailants in broad daylight near a commercial area in Abohar. While the state's opposition parties had attacked the AAP government, alleging that the law and order had "collapsed", the mood turned soon. AAP started pointing fingers at the BJP when the Lawrence Bishnoi group took responsibility for the crime. State finance minister Harpal Cheema alleged that the BJP has been "protecting" Lawrence Bishnoi. The gangster has been in Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat - a state the BJP has been ruling for the last 30 years - since 2014. "We have taken action in the Abhor murder case... It is sad that he is targeting Punjab sitting in Gujarat," Mr Cheema had told reporters. "Why he (Bishnoi) has been given the protection and why has he been kept in jail? Who took Lawrence Bishnoi to Gujarat and why is he being safeguarded there? The BJP seems to be protecting him so that he can be used to create unrest in states ruled by opposition parties," Mr Cheema had alleged. "In states where the BJP is not in power, they are using criminals and gangsters to disturb peace. This is a dangerous conspiracy against the nation's federal structure and law and order," he added.