JAMMU, October 10: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday condemned the detention of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders in Delhi, questioning the restrictions imposed ahead of their protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Choudhary said the detention of protesters was wrong and stressed that democratic rights and the independence of constitutional institutions must be protected.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Jammu, he called for an investigation into the allegations against the CEC, noting that the concerns had reportedly been raised by two of Kumar’s colleagues.
He said the CEC should resign on moral grounds to maintain public confidence in the electoral process and ensure transparency.
‘Is The Situation Any Less Serious Than Emergency?’
Questioning the restrictions imposed in Delhi, Choudhary drew a comparison with the Emergency and criticised measures that, according to him, had disrupted normal life in the national capital.
“What is happening in the country today is wrong in many ways,” he said, questioning the BJP’s repeated references to the Emergency while alleging that the current restrictions also raised serious concerns about democratic freedoms.
His remarks came in response to the detention of CJP leaders, including Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, and reported attempts to prevent people from reaching the protest site.
Calls For Protection Of Constitutional Institutions
Referring to the opposition delegation that met President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, Choudhary said the move was intended to protect democracy and safeguard the independence of constitutional institutions.
He described the President as the custodian of the Constitution and said approaching her for intervention was a legitimate democratic right.
“If we want to save democracy, we must ensure the freedom and independence of our institutions,” he said.
Criticises Labelling Of Protesters
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised what he described as attempts to discredit public demonstrations by attaching political or national labels to protesters.
Referring to previous agitations, including the farmers’ protest, he said demonstrators had been labelled Khalistanis or accused of having links with Pakistan.
He questioned how long people would continue to be divided through such allegations instead of addressing the issues they raised.
Raises Unemployment And Treatment Of Young Protesters
Choudhary also highlighted unemployment, saying educated young people across the country were struggling to find jobs and that the issue deserved greater attention.
He alleged that the concerns of unemployed youth were not receiving adequate discussion and urged political leaders to focus on their demands.
The Deputy Chief Minister further questioned the reported use of force and detention against young protesters, particularly women, in Delhi.
Referring to the country’s democratic ideals and the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B. R. Ambedkar, he asked whether young women demanding their rights should be treated in such a manner.
Choudhary reiterated that protecting democratic freedoms, ensuring electoral transparency and maintaining the independence of constitutional institutions were essential for public confidence in the democratic system.
