Tarigami Slams Administration for Revoking Protest Permission

Srinagar: Senior CPI M leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Tuesday strongly criticised the Jammu and Kashmir administration for abruptly revoking permission for a peaceful protest that was scheduled to be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar.

The protest was part of a nationwide general strike called by central trade unions against what Tarigami described as the government’s “anti-working class and anti-farmer policies.”

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Tarigami termed the move a “blatant suppression of democratic rights and a deliberate attempt to silence the voices of the working class and farmers.”

He questioned the administration’s intent behind the last-minute cancellation, saying such actions highlight the shrinking space for peaceful democratic expression in the region.

Authorities have not yet issued any official explanation for the revocation of the protest permission.

Meanwhile, hundreds of leaders and activists from various organisations—including the Kisan Tehreek, Apple Farmers Federation of India (J&K Chapter), Jammu and Kashmir Students Federation of India, and the Democratic Youth Federation—held a peaceful demonstration in Kulgam as part of the July 9 strike.

Speakers at the Kulgam gathering included CPI M State Secretary Mohammad Abbas Rather, Apple Farmers Federation President Zahoor Ahmad Rather, senior Kisan Tehreek leader Mohammad Afzal, and youth leader Javed Ahmad.