Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed his support for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks acknowledging the genuine grievances of Generation Z and differentiating between protest and anti-national activity. Abdullah stated that students protesting alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination were criticizing the government, not the nation.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Abdullah emphasized the distinction made by Bhagwat, noting that opposing the government is not equivalent to acting against the country. He further elaborated that such criticism can be beneficial for the nation by helping to identify and rectify mistakes. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Abdullah views the protests over the NEET examination as having fostered accountability and hopes for improvements in the examination process moving forward.
Abdullah also made a strong appeal for authorities to cease taking action against students who participated in the NEET agitation. He voiced concern over reports indicating that protesters were allegedly being manhandled, subjected to criminal cases, and harassed on social media, with some instances involving the summoning of their relatives by the police. “I believe this entire course of action should stop,” Abdullah was quoted as saying, reiterating his stance that protesting against the government should not be conflated with being anti-national.
The Chief Minister’s comments come in the wake of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address at the India‘s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) 15th anniversary event in Mumbai on Thursday. Bhagwat had stated, “If Gen Z members are agitating, they are not anti-national; they are our people. It is our next generation. You need dialogue and rapport with them.” Bhagwat’s remarks, as reported by The Tribune India, were aimed at fostering understanding and engagement with the younger generation.
In a separate development, Abdullah also addressed the ongoing political discourse surrounding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Responding to a question about an First Information Report (FIR) filed against PDP leader Iltija Mufti, Abdullah alleged a “fixed match” between the PDP and certain agencies. He claimed that the PDP is a creation of these agencies and that efforts are made to restore its credibility whenever its image weakens. Abdullah further suggested that recent controversies, including the PDP’s “banta hai” remarks, were followed by attempts by agencies to revive the party’s standing after its credibility had been impacted.
Turning his attention to international relations, Abdullah on Thursday dismissed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s criticism regarding the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Abdullah asserted that Pakistan should cease interfering in India’s internal affairs and instead focus on alleged human rights violations within territories under its control. He was responding to statements made by Sharif and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who had marked August 5 as “Youm-e-Istehsal” or the day of exploitation.
Abdullah strongly criticized Sharif’s characterization of the August 5 decisions as a human rights violation, emphasizing that the matter is an internal affair for India and has no bearing on Pakistan. “We have our own dispute over the August 5 decision, but that is our internal matter. Pakistan has nothing to do with it. They should stop interfering in these matters because the more they interfere, the weaker our case becomes,” Abdullah stated, as reported by The Tribune India. His remarks underscore a firm stance against external interference in India’s domestic policy decisions concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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