There are moments in history that reveal not just the condition of society, but the character of its leaders. July 14, 2024, in Srinagar was one such moment. In a scene that rapidly spread across television and social media, Omar Abdullah — the sitting Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir — was seen climbing a wall to enter the so-called Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar. This, despite the fact that the main gate stood open, and his father Dr Farooq Abdullah and senior party colleagues had already entered through it.

The act, symbolic as it was, raises troubling questions not just about theatrics in politics, but about the slow drift of mainstream dynasts into the performative tactics once used by separatists. This was not just a climb over a wall. It was a climb into a narrative of victimhood — crafted, staged, and calculated — to remain politically visible in a region that has long begun to move on from its troubled past. Much of the media — including an editorial in a national daily — framed the incident as a case of disrespect or administrative overreach. But what truly deserves scrutiny is the intellectual dishonesty at the core of this drama.

CCTV footage clearly revealed that no restrictions were placed. The entrance gate was open, and National Conference leaders entered through it without facing any obstruction. What, on the other hand, justifies the actions of a sitting Chief Minister climbing a wall like a protester desperate for space?

It is safe to assume at this point that the optics are minimal to non-existent in this case, as there indeed wasn’t any form of denial. We are witnessing a Kashmir that is gradually turning tranquil in comparison to the suffering of yesteryears. Young voters are shunning conflict, compelling the desperate need to showcase relevance through such........

© News18