
CM Omar Abdullah scales wall to pay tribute to July 13 martyrs after being barred by authorities
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was accompanied by Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary, CM's Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, cabinet ministers Javed Dar and Sakina Itoo, NC president Farooq Abdullah, party spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq and several other party leaders and legislators. They paid floral tributes at the martyrs' graveyard near the Naqshband Sahib shrine, which had been heavily barricaded by security forces.
In a defiant move that quickly went viral on social media, Omar Abdullah scaled a wall and jumped a barricade to access the graveyard, followed closely by his security detail and other party members.
'These people think that we are their slaves. We are not their slaves; we are the servants of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,' Omar told reporters at the site.
He said that despite not notifying the authorities of his visit, attempts were made to block his movement once again. 'A security vehicle was parked in Nowhatta Chowk to block our movement. Which law allows them to stop elected representatives from paying tribute to martyrs? Is this democracy or dictatorship?' he asked.

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Economic Times
11 hours ago
- Economic Times
Mirwaiz praises three Lok Sabha members from Kashmir for highlighting plight of people of J&K in the parliament
Agencies Mirwaiz praises three Lok Sabha members from Kashmir for highlighting plight of people of J&K in the parliament Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged New Delhi to address 'Dil Ki Doori' with Jammu and Kashmir through engagement. Mirwaiz also praised Lok Sabha members from Kashmir, Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah from ruling National Conference and Engineer Rashid of Awami Ittehad Party for putting a united stand in the parliament and highlight concerns and plight of people of J&K. The Hurriyat leader said it was 'great' to see political leadership across the spectrum from Kashmir on the 'same page.'"Neither war, nor violence, nor use of force can solve problems and lead to peace and prosperity, which the billions of people in the Indian subcontinent seek, and the swathes of poor in this region deserve," said Mirwaiz, adding, "Engagement at all levels is a far cheaper and evolved alternative." Mirwaiz said during a debate in the parliament on the India–Pakistan war following the heinous Pahalgam incident very few members and mostly from the opposition talked of the human aspect of the war. "They spoke about its costs therein, and its correlation to J&K, which reflects the mindset and mood of the times," said Mirwaiz. Hurriyat leader said three Lok Sabha members from J&K were the only ones to highlight the deep concerns and plight of the people at the epicentre of the basic problem and the current debate. "They spoke with passion and pain about the disempowerment and dispossession of the people of J&K. They expressed the sentiments of the people of J&K that we have all along been talking about. It is good to see that on these matters all are on the same page," said Mirwaiz. The Hurriyat leader said he can only hope that what the Lok Sabha members from Kashmir said was heard by those in power in New Delhi. "If they really want to lessen 'Dil Ki Doori" they must pay heed to it.


Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Trying to motivate people to visit J&K: Omar
Chief minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Gujarat to promote J&K tourism, said that post the Pahalgam attack, tourist places have been secured in Kashmir and only those places which haven't been cleared by security are closed. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi during a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (PTI) Omar on Friday while concluding a two-day tour of Gujarat said he is trying to motivate people of different parts of the country to visit J&K as tourism is the backbone of the economy of the UT. 'In the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, almost all our tourist destinations were closed for a security audit. We only started reopening them once we were satisfied with the results of that audit,' he said. He added that several tourist places which haven't been cleared by security agencies are still closed. Omar earlier had told mediapersons that even those who were responsible for the attack on tourists were killed. 'They were killed not in the city or close to tourist places but in a far off place,' he said while making his point that Kashmir is a safe tourist destination now. He said that he is trying to motivate people to visit J&K as our economy is relying on the tourism sector.' On Friday, Omar also visited Sabarmati Ashram and said his Ahmedabad visit is now complete. 'My visit to Ahmedabad is now complete. I feel both humbled & privileged to have been shown around the Sabarmati Ashram of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. His teachings ring true even today & point us in the direction we should take but seldom do,' J&K chief minister wrote on X. On Thursday, Omar Abdullah visited Sabarmati River Front promenade and Statue of Unity and praised this place. 'While in #Ahmedabad for a tourism event I took advantage of being here to get my morning run at the famed Sabarmati River Front promenade. It's one of the nicest places I've been able to run & it was a pleasure to get to share it with so many other walkers/runners. I even managed to run past the amazing Atal Foot Bridge,' Omar wrote on X while sharing his jogging pictures which even caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Good to see Omar enjoying visit to Statue of Unity: PM 'Kashmir to Kevadia! Good to see Shri Omar Abdullah Ji enjoying his run at the Sabarmati Riverfront and visiting the Statue of Unity. His visit to SoU gives an important message of unity and will inspire our fellow Indians to travel to different parts of India,' Modi said on X. Omar on Thursday evening inaugurated a high-profile roadshow and business meet in Ahmedabad, aimed at strengthening tourism and trade ties between Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat. The event brought together stakeholders from Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir to foster partnerships in tourism, trade, and business innovation. 'Jammu & Kashmir is open for business,' said the CM, adding, 'And we welcome our friends from Gujarat to explore, invest, and be part of our growth story.' Parra questions Omar's visit to Statue of Unity PDP legislative party leader Waheed ur Rehman Parra on Friday questioned Omar's visit to Gujarat's 'Statue of Unity' monument saying 'that if any other leader from Kashmir would have visited the statue, the NC would have branded them as BJP or RSS agents'. Parra who is legislator from Pulwama alleged that NC has a legacy of shifting definitions in power since 1932. 'True, sir. The transition from @RahulGandhi's Bharat Jodo as the symbol of unity to the Prime Minister's Statue of Unity makes the emancipation clear. Until you attain power, Congress & INDIA alliance are your definitions of unity. Yet, if any Kashmiri party or leader nears the statue, you'd waste no time in branding them as 'Sanghi' or 'Nagpuri.' Your shifting definitions in power & while chasing it remain the only legacy of NC since 1932,' Para wrote on X while reacting to J&K chief minister's post on X. Travel broadens horizons and mind: Omar Omar while addressing PM Modi said travel broadens the horizons and mind. 'I'm a firm believer that travel broadens the horizons & the mind @narendramodi ji. It's especially important for us in J&K as tourism is a crucial part of our economy & has the potential to gainfully employ lakhs of people. That's why I & my colleagues are trying to convince more of our fellow Indians to visit J&K, especially after the tragic events earlier this year,' Omar wrote on X.


Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
If Omar wants only statehood then we are on the same page: Sunil Sharma
As the debate on restoration of statehood heats up with Congress hitting roads across J&K, BJP's leader of Opposition in the assembly Sunil Sharma said if chief minister Omar Abdullah wants only statehood then they are on the same page. Now it seems the BJP too has softened its stand on the statehood restoration though some of party leaders are saying statehood shouldn't be granted unless it gets clearance from the ministry of home affairs and security agencies. (ANI File) The NC, Congress and other political parties have now increased their pitch for statehood with Congress J&K president Tariq Karra asking other political parties of state to join his party for statehood restoration protests. Congress recently held a protest for statehood at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and its leaders said the protests will continue until statehood is granted which Congress leaders described as the right of people of J&K. Now it seems the BJP too has softened its stand on the statehood restoration though some of party leaders are saying statehood shouldn't be granted unless it gets clearance from the ministry of home affairs and security agencies. 'If the NC is seeking statehood without Article 370 and without Martyrs Day, just like a normal state then we are on the same page,' Sunil Sharma told a local news agency and said that Article 370 is now 'buried forever.' The latest statement from the senior BJP looks a departure from the past when all BJP leaders advocated that statehood shouldn't be restored till the situation gets normal. On Thursday, Karra said other political parties should join Congress to fight for statehood. 'Congress will organise a series of protests for statehood from August 1. Even August 5 will be observed as black day and there will be a hunger strike on August 9,' Karra said while urging leaders and workers of other political parties to be part of this fight for statehood.