SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday told the Legislative Assembly that safeguarding the press as the “fourth pillar” of democracy is a collective responsibility, asserting that “punishing a journalist for writing a legitimate story is not democracy.”
Raising concerns over recent instances involving the media, Abdullah said that journalists should not be subjected to questioning or pressure for routine reportage. Referring to reports about police surveys of mosque imams, he said that if such steps are being taken, the administration must clearly explain the purpose. Calling reporters to police stations over such coverage, he said, only creates the impression that authorities themselves lack confidence in their actions.
The Chief Minister rejected allegations that he remains silent on sensitive public issues, saying neither he nor his government has avoided raising matters concerning prisoners lodged in jails, their return, and other concerns of the people. He said members of his party have raised such issues in Parliament, in the Assembly and in public forums, while some discussions have also taken place privately.
Abdullah also turned to broader governance concerns, describing the Union Territory with Assembly arrangement as a structural difficulty that hampers the functioning of an elected government. He said if a region is considered fit for an Assembly, it should be granted statehood, and if it is to remain a Union Territory, the Assembly should not exist.
Citing a recent example, he said the transfer of the Finance Secretary to Delhi days before the Budget presentation disrupted administrative continuity. “Who changes a Finance Secretary ten days before a Budget?” he asked, adding that intervention was required to ensure stability during preparations.
He further highlighted the importance of the Resident Commissioner’s post in Delhi for coordination with the Centre, follow-up on approvals and liaison work. Assigning this responsibility to the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, he said, creates practical difficulties in governance. Until structural changes are made, he said, clear business rules must be established to ensure smoother administration.
