- CM signals softer approach on Valley protest cases, seeks review of FIRs and release of detainees
JAMMU, Mar 7: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the ongoing electoral exercise in Nepal, asserting that the formation of governments must be determined by the people of a country and not shaped by external intervention or the use of force.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an official function, Abdullah said regime change cannot be engineered through military action, remarking that such attempts only deepen instability and violate established norms of international conduct. “It is for the people of that country to decide what sort of government they want and how they want to bring about that change,” he said, adding that “you cannot affect regime change by aerial bombardment.”
Referring to the situation in Iran, the Chief Minister said any political transition must remain the choice of the citizens of that nation, not a decision taken in foreign capitals. He argued that the death of a widely acknowledged religious leader could not be equated with a change in government, and described the use of force for political objectives as unacceptable. Recent international reporting has linked the current escalation to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the conflict.
Drawing parallels with democratic transitions elsewhere, Abdullah cited Nepal and Bangladesh, saying leadership changes are best achieved through the ballot. He said Nepal’s voters appear to have backed a new political leadership, calling it a healthy sign of democratic choice. Early results from Nepal’s elections have indicated a major surge for the newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party led by former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, disrupting the dominance of traditional parties.
Abdullah expressed hope that Nepal’s new leadership would ensure stability and maintain constructive relations with neighbouring countries. “We can only hope that his country maintains good relations with neighbouring countries,” he said, while underlining that choices about governance must remain internal and sovereign.
On domestic issues, Abdullah also referred to recent discussions with civil society in Srinagar and said suggestions had emerged urging a softer approach in cases where FIRs were registered during protests in the Kashmir Valley, along with the release of those detained. He said these points had been conveyed to the concerned authorities and that the government would pursue the matter in view of the improved situation.
Responding to questions regarding remarks by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on external influences over national decisions, the Chief Minister said his father had already spoken for the party and there was “no need to say anything beyond that,” reiterating the party’s broader position on sovereign decision-making.