Omar Abdullah welcomes SC intervention in voter-list deletions

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) welcomed the Supreme Court’s (SC) intervention in the issue of voter-list deletions and hinted at prolonged protests by the INDIA bloc over the matter. He also ruled out the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the Union Territory.

Keep track | CEC row LIVE updates: Rahul, Priyanka in standoff with police at Akashvani Bhawan as INDIA bloc MPs march to ECI

“Questions are being raised about the (Election Commission of India’s) functioning, especially over the deletion of names from voter lists. The SC has now sought a reply from the ECI and the Government of India. We will wait to see how far this will be set right through the court,” said Mr. Abdullah.

Speaking in Srinagar, Mr. Abdullah said the INDIA bloc, which met in Delhi recently, has drawn up a protest calendar for this month, beginning with a march to the ECI. “A series of programmes will continue,” he added. Mr. Abdullah had attended the INDIA bloc meeting. 

On the implementation of the UCC in West Bengal, Mr. Abdullah reiterated the ruling National Conference’s (NC) opposition to it in Jammu and Kashmir. “We will not implement the UCC here (J&K). It is not uniform till it is implemented everywhere. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s party (Janata Dal-United) did not implement it, and other (State) governments opposed it too. Bring a law in the Parliament if you have courage and debate on it,” said Mr. Abdullah.

He said the BJP would not use the Parliament route as it didn’t have the numbers to pass it. “It (the BJP) is doing it piecemeal in their States, which is wrong. In a democracy, it (UCC) should be debated at the Centre and brought to Parliament. See if it gets passed in Parliament or not,” said Mr. Abdullah.

Deportation of Rohingyas

Mr. Abdullah also spoke against the deportation of Rohingyas from J&K following the reports of the security forces rounding them up in the Union Territory (UT) and termed the action “sudden and strange”.

“We have not had much problem due to their stay here. It is also true that they cannot stay illegally. Those who have come from Bangladesh without permission, that is different, but Rohingyas are being targeted unnecessarily. They were driven out of their country, and we gave them refuge. Let them stay here for now till the situation improves in their country,” he said.

Mr. Abdullah was quick to add that the actions taken against Rohingyas were “not in his hands”. “It’s the Government of India’s subject, and it is taking help from the police. The police are also not in our control. Ask this question to those who have command over the police,” he said.