Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made it clear that he will not pursue the demand for statehood at the cost of the 26 lives lost in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. In a day packed with significant developments, the Indian government also banned several Pakistani YouTube channels, including those of major news outlets and former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. Political controversies continue to escalate across India, with remarks by politicians and public figures further intensifying the debate surrounding the terror attack and its aftermath.
Omar Abdullah Declines to Push Statehood Demand Amid Grief
Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah stated that while the issue of statehood remains important, it would be inappropriate to push for it while mourning the deaths of innocent civilians. “We will raise this matter another day,” he said, emphasizing respect for the victims and their families at this sensitive time. His stance was seen as a responsible and sensitive approach, reflecting the larger political climate of restraint in Jammu and Kashmir following the brutal attack.
Indian Government Cracks Down on Pakistani Media Channels
In response to Pakistan’s alleged role in fostering terrorism, India has intensified its measures by banning multiple Pakistani YouTube channels. Platforms such as Dawn News, Geo News, and Shoaib Akhtar’s popular ‘100mph’ channel were among those taken down. The move came shortly after India downgraded diplomatic ties and took other significant steps like revoking visas and closing border transit posts. The crackdown reflects India’s growing digital and diplomatic pushback following the loss of lives in Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, political friction over the incident continues within India. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar’s controversial questioning of the victims’ religious profiling claims sparked outrage, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP. Adding to the tensions, the Centre also strongly objected to BBC’s coverage of the attack, criticizing the global media outlet for referring to terrorists as “militants,” a term seen as downplaying the gravity of the incident.
Further controversies arose when Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad questioned the government’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, asking whether Pakistanis should be deprived of water. Additionally, former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria reignited tensions by accusing Shahid Afridi of promoting extremist views in his comments on the attack. Amid all the political noise, actor Vijay Deverakonda made headlines at a Hyderabad event, delivering a fiery speech that resonated with many, reflecting the charged mood across the country.
