All Kashmiris Viewed With Suspicion After Delhi Blast, Says Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah highlights growing suspicion faced by Kashmiris after Delhi Red Fort blast.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has voiced concerns over the growing suspicion faced by people from Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the deadly November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort. Speaking at an event in Kulgam, south Kashmir, Abdullah lamented that the actions of a few individuals have cast a shadow over the entire population of the Union Territory, making it difficult for them to travel outside safely or go about their daily lives without prejudice.
Abdullah noted the palpable anxiety among families, with parents reluctant to send their children outside, fearing discrimination or harassment. “We are looked at with suspicious eyes from every side, attempts are made to defame us for someone else’s doing,” he said, adding that this collective blame is unfair but “that is the reality.” He personally revealed feelings of apprehension about driving his vehicle bearing Jammu and Kashmir registration in the national capital, noting the constant fear of being stopped and questioned.
The blast, which claimed 15 lives and injured over 20, triggered multi-agency investigations by the Delhi Police Special Cell, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Crime Branch. Heightened security protocols included extensive checks on people from Jammu and Kashmir across regions like Faridabad, where over 500 individuals were reportedly questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
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Authorities have identified the attack as a terror act, with evidence linking the suicide bomber to a terror module active in Faridabad and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has sparked heightened scrutiny of Kashmiris nationwide, contributing to the climate of mistrust highlighted by Abdullah. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between the acts of extremists and the wider Kashmiri community to prevent social alienation.
As investigations continue, Abdullah’s remarks underscore the urgent need to balance security imperatives with protecting the rights and dignity of innocent citizens from Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring they do not bear collective blame for isolated acts of terror.
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