Omar Abdullah said, “These thin-skinned ‘leaders’ should stop hiding behind such archaic laws
Omar Abdullah, vice president of the National Conference, stated on Friday that every person in a democracy has the freedom to criticize persons in positions of authority, and that “thin-skinned leaders” should cease hiding behind obsolete rules.
Omar Abdullah’s comments come following a complaint by a BJP politician that filmmaker Ayesha Sultana spread false news regarding the spread of COVID-19 in the union territory of Lakshadweep during a TV discussion.
The filmmaker Ayesha has been booked on sedition charges.
“Criticism of Patel does not constitute sedition. In a democracy, if that’s what we still want to claim to be, criticism of people in positions of authority is the right of every citizen,” Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
He added, “These thin skinned ‘leaders’ should stop hiding behind such archaic laws.”
It is worthwhile to mention that Praful Patel, who was appointed Lakshadweep Administrator in December, has been facing protests over a series of decisions that he insists will help develop Lakshadweep as a major tourist draw to match the Maldives.
A new detention legislation that gives the administration broad powers to imprison anybody for up to a year, another bill that tries to extend the administration’s arbitrary property acquisition powers, and a planned ban on cow slaughter are among the reforms he proposes.
However, the people of Lakshadweep, who are primarily Muslims, believe the laws are a direct policing over their food habits.