Kashmir Valley witnessed dueling protests on Saturday as the INDIA bloc marched against alleged election irregularities. Workers gathered in Srinagar to demand the Election Commission chief’s resignation. Meanwhile, the BJP held a counter-agitation in Jammu. Farooq Abdullah said, "Good governance and effective administration are impossible without a strong opposition."
Srinagar: A day of charged political confrontation unfolded across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, with INDIA bloc parties staging coordinated protest marches in the Valley over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's functioning, while the BJP mounted a counter‑agitation in Jammu, burning an effigy of Rahul Gandhi and demanding action in a separate controversy involving a Congress MP.
Across summer capital Srinagar and several district headquarters in the Kashmir Valley, INDIA bloc workers rallied under the banner of a nationwide campaign against what they termed "vote chori".
Their anger centred on allegations of discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns over the Election Commission's conduct.
In Srinagar, workers from the Congress, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathered at the Congress headquarters on Moulana Azad Road, shouting slogans against the BJP‑led Centre and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Protesters demanded Kumar's resignation, accusing the Commission of undermining democratic processes.
When they attempted to march towards the main road, police intervened and blocked their movement, confining the demonstration to the party office complex.
The protest continued for some time before dispersing without incident.
Similar marches were reported from multiple district headquarters in the Valley, signalling a coordinated push by the opposition alliance to amplify concerns over electoral transparency.
Meanwhile, in winter capital Jammu, the BJP launched a sharp counter‑offensive. Party leaders and workers, joined by members of the women's wing, burned an effigy of Rahul Gandhi near the Deputy Commissioner's office on Wazarat Road.
Former minister Priya Sethi and other senior leaders led the demonstration, which sought to highlight the controversy surrounding Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
The protesters attempted to march towards the Congress headquarters on Residency Road but were stopped by police, prompting them to stage a sit‑in and raise slogans against the Congress leadership.
BJP leaders accused the Congress of shielding Akoijam, who was dismissed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following allegations of sexual harassment involving students.
They demanded his expulsion from Parliament and pressed Rahul Gandhi for a clear public response, alleging that the Congress had failed to take a decisive stand on the matter.
Meanwhile, former chief minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday that good governance and effective administration are impossible without a strong, active and empowered opposition capable of highlighting public grievances and holding the government accountable.
He stressed that the opposition's role in a democracy goes beyond criticism, encompassing the representation of public aspirations, the review of government policies and the protection of constitutional and democratic values.
He warned that suppressing opposition voices, refusing to tolerate dissent and denying people the space to raise legitimate concerns undermines the very spirit of democracy and renders claims of good governance hollow.
"A healthy democratic system", he said, "rests on freedom of expression, respect for differing opinions, public participation and institutional accountability, and any deviation from these principles weakens democracy itself."
Expressing concern over the alleged use of intimidation, pressure and excessive force to silence dissent, Abdullah said the approach being witnessed in the national capital today (Saturday) echoes what the people of Kashmir have long experienced.
"Silencing public voices and ignoring legitimate demands does not solve problems but instead deepens the divide between citizens and those in power," he asserted, adding.
"The strength of democracy lies in ensuring that every individual can express their views and pursue their rights peacefully and constitutionally."
He emphasised that the vote is a sacred trust and the foundation of democracy, making transparency in the electoral process and the credibility of democratic institutions essential.
Reiterating the NC's commitment, Abdullah said the party will not compromise on the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of J&K and will continue its efforts to secure their legitimate rights, strengthen democratic institutions and achieve the restoration of statehood.