Srinagar, Dec 28 : Apni Party President Ghulam Hassan Mir on Saturday criticized the house arrest of Srinagar MP Agha Ruhullah, who was scheduled to join a peaceful protest on the reservation issue earlier today.
Mir said stopping students and political leaders from holding a sit-in protest is “against the spirit of democracy” and weakens people’s trust in the system.
He said that peaceful protest is not a threat, but a democratic right.
“Not allowing a sit-in protest by students and some leaders is undemocratic. It is the beauty of democracy that anybody can express their views through peaceful means,” Mir said.
Mir also said the government should have allowed the protest, especially when the youth were raising concerns peacefully.
“The government should have allowed the protest. Heavens would not fall,” he added.
Without naming any party, Mir said that silencing voices through force or restrictions sends a wrong message at a time when youth need to feel included in decision-making.
“Suffocating voices through the barrel is totally uncalled for,” he further said.
Mir said reservation is a sensitive public issue and demands open talks, not curbs. He urged authorities to create space for dialogue so that youth feel heard, not pushed to frustration.
Mir said democracy grows stronger when dissent is peaceful and people are allowed to speak.“Peaceful expression makes democracy beautiful, not weak. Respecting voices strengthens India-Kashmir relations, not breaks them,” Mir also said.(KNS)
