Former Planning Minister and MLA Bandipora, Usman Majid, on Tuesday, vehemently condemned the alleged assault on Kashmiri Pandits by Indian National Congress (INC) workers in Bandipora, describing the incident as an attack on democracy and communal harmony.
Majid expressed deep concern over the physical assault on Kashmiri Pandits and said that they were abused, threatened, and intimidated by Congress workers in an attempt to coerce them into voting for Congress. He said that Ghulam Nabi Tantray, a close aide of Congress candidate Nizamuddin Bhat, was involved and accused him of being behind these nefarious designs.
He asserted, “The Kashmiri Pandits were targeted, thrashed, abused, and roughed up for refusing to cast their votes under pressure. Such tactics are not only illegal but shameful and contrary to the very principles of democracy.”
Majid further emphasized that the Kashmiri Pandit community is an integral part of the valley, and their contribution to the social and cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir is invaluable. “The Kashmiri Pandits have suffered enough over the years, and now, instead of protecting them, they are being threatened and abused. This must stop immediately. The well-being and safety of every Kashmiri, irrespective of their religion or background, must be ensured,” Majid asserted.
He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the district administration of Bandipora to take immediate and necessary action against the culprits involved in this despicable act. “I call upon the ECI and the district administration to ensure that those responsible for this violence and intimidation, including Ghulam Nabi Tantray, are brought to justice and that the voting process remains free, fair, and secure for all,” he said.
Majid also criticized the Indian National Congress, urging the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) to take swift and strict action against their party workers involved in the assault. “The Congress party has long claimed to stand for the safety and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandit community, but these promises have proven to be hollow. Instead of delivering on their commitments, they are now threatening and abusing the very people they once pledged to protect. Such hypocrisy will not be tolerated.”
He reiterated the need for accountability and respect for democratic processes, demanding that an FIR be lodged against all those involved, including Tantray. Majid called upon all political parties to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that no community is subjected to fear or coercion. “Elections are a pillar of democracy, and any attempt to undermine the voice of the people through violence or intimidation must be met with strict consequences. The Kashmiri Pandits, like all citizens, deserve the right to participate freely in elections without fear or threat.”
