NC’s Ruhullah, PDP’s Parra criticise J&K CM over his Iran stand, arrests in Kashmir

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (March 6, 2026) faced criticism over his stand on the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and subsequent crackdown on protesters in Kashmir.

Mr. Abdullah, who chaired a meeting of civil society on Wednesday (March 4) and appealed for harmony, was also criticised by the party Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Syed Ruhullah. 

“When and how was the communal harmony disturbed by the mourners which forced the assembly of this “group” to call for communal harmony. What message is he trying to send? Whose point is he asserting and advocating? Is he trying to become an instrument of the establishment to justify their unjustifiable actions?” Mr. Ruhullah said, in a post on X, after the meeting.

No NC leader has commented on the J&K Police’s move to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against Mr. Ruhullah for allegedly “creating fear, disturbing public order, and inciting unlawful activities”.  Pitching for the release of locals who were arrested after street protests, Mr. Ruhullah said, “The only call that he and this ‘group’ should have made was to ask for the immediate release of our youth and unconditional withdrawal of FIRs against them. Who does he represent? I thought we elected a representative for us who would stand for us against all odds,” Mr. Ruhullah said.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party leader and legislator Waheed Ur Rehmaan Parra criticised Mr. Abdullah over the party’s stand. “Mr. Abdullah and his party leadership avoided issuing a strong condemnation of the strikes. Why hasn’t the government passed a formal resolution through the Cabinet if it intended to take a clear stand on the issue. Silence on such issues raised questions,” Mr. Parra said.

Meanwhile, NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah said the Centre should term the U.S. attack on an independent nation of Iran as “a wrong step”.

“Such actions by the U.S. could destabilize the region and impact the entire world. The Indian government should be giving a statement on this. New Delhi must present its official stance on the escalating tensions,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Mr. Abdullah warned that the ongoing tensions “could potentially trigger a wider global conflict if not handled carefully”.