States » NorthPosted at: Oct 10 2026 8:06PM


Farooq Abdullah calls for strong opposition as Delhi Police detain leaders during protests against poll panel

Srinagar, Oct 10 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday stressed the need for a strong and empowered opposition to raise public grievances and hold the government accountable.
He said the opposition’s role in a democracy extends beyond criticism to representing public aspirations, scrutinising government policies and safeguarding constitutional and democratic values.
The statement of Abdullah came on a day several opposition leaders and protesters were detained by Delhi Police during protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Abdullah said that suppressing the voice of the opposition, refusing to tolerate dissent and denying people the right to raise their legitimate concerns undermines the very spirit of democracy and renders claims of good governance meaningless.
He stressed that a strong democratic system rests on freedom of expression, respect for differing opinions, public participation and institutional accountability, adding that any departure from these fundamental principles is detrimental to democracy.
He expressed concern over the alleged use of intimidation, pressure and excessive force to silence dissenting voices and create an atmosphere of fear.
Abdullah observed that the approach being adopted to suppress people's voices in the New Delhi on Saturday reminds one of the treatment that the people of Kashmir have faced over the years. He said that silencing public voices, restricting dissent and ignoring legitimate demands do not resolve problems but instead widen the gap between the people and those in power.
“The strength of democracy lies in ensuring that every citizen has the freedom to express their views and pursue their rights through peaceful and constitutional means,” he said.
Abdullah said that the vote is a valuable trust placed by the people and the foundation of democracy. Ensuring transparency in the electoral process, restoring public confidence and safeguarding the credibility of democratic institutions are therefore essential.
He further reiterated that the National Conference would not compromise on the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the party would continue its efforts to secure the legitimate constitutional rights of the people, strengthen democratic institutions and achieve the restoration of statehood.
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