Ganderbal, Oct 14: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday said political parties should not interfere in religious matters, asserting that faith must remain above political considerations.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal, Choudhary also defended the protests in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, calling for transparency and accountability in the country’s democratic institutions.
Responding to recent controversies over religious directives, the Deputy Chief Minister said no political party had the right to dictate religious matters, irrespective of whether the faith was Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism or Christianity.
Condemning the alleged use of force and baton charges against protesters in the national capital, Choudhary said the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly.
He said that if citizens and young people were demanding Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning the functioning of democratic institutions, the issue called for accountability and transparency.
“To strengthen democracy in Jammu and Kashmir and across the nation, we must ensure a transparent, vibrant and impartial Election Commission. You cannot silence young people with force,” Choudhary said.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister, accompanied by senior officials, reviewed various developmental projects in Ganderbal.
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