Omar Abdullah Says Protesting Government Is Not ‘Anti-National’, Urges End to Student Action

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said protesting against the government should not be equated with opposing the nation, urging authorities to stop action against students who participated in demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

“They protested for their rights and for what was rightfully theirs because none of their demands was against the country,” Abdullah told reporters. He said the agitation was directed at the government and not the nation, adding that such protests can help ensure accountability and correct administrative mistakes.

Referring to recent remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Abdullah welcomed his distinction between opposing a government and acting against the country. Bhagwat had backed Gen Z protesters, saying their grievances were genuine and that participation in protests did not make young people “anti-national”.

Abdullah expressed concern over reports that protesting students were being manhandled, booked in criminal cases and harassed on social media. He also claimed that police had summoned relatives of some protesters, saying the “entire course of action should stop”.

Turning to Jharkhand, Abdullah urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to engage with students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The agitation has entered its 14th day, with student unions demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe by the CBI or retired high court judges from outside the state.

On political developments involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullah rejected suggestions of a “fixed match” and alleged that agencies were attempting to revive the party’s credibility. He also commented on reports involving PDP leader Iltija Mufti, who has been summoned by police over allegations of assaulting an officer during an Article 370 demonstration.

On the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah called for an impartial investigation into reported civilian casualties, saying the truth should be established. He added that global conflicts had diverted international attention but said people in the region continued to feel concern for those affected.