Srinagar, July 15 (KNS): Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, has condemned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks against local newspapers, calling them “disrespectful, desperate, and a direct attack on press freedom.”

Sharma was reacting to a post by Omar Abdullah on "X" on July 13, in which the he had slammed local dailies for allegedly underreporting the detention of elected representatives on Martyrs’ Day. In the post, Omar had accused some media outlets of being “cowards” and “sellouts,” and questioned their editorial independence.

“Take a look at our local newspapers — both from Jammu and from Srinagar, English and vernacular,” Omar had posted on "X". “You’ll be able to distinguish the cowards from the ones with guts... Shame on the sellouts who buried the story, I hope the size of the envelope was worth it.”

Responding to this, Sunil Sharma said Omar’s frustration should not be taken out on media professionals who continue to work in one of the toughest regions for journalism.

“It’s unfortunate that a CM is publicly questioning the integrity of local newspapers,” Sharma told Kashmir News Service(KNS). “Calling journalists cowards and accusing them of taking envelopes is not only defamatory, but a reflection of political immaturity.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelYou can’t reclaim lost ground by attacking the media.”

He added that such sweeping generalizations about newspapers without proof amount to “intellectual bullying.”

“If the media doesn’t cover you the way you want, that doesn’t mean it’s sold out,” Sharma said. “Omar Abdullah should remember that the media once gave space to his own government’s voice. Criticism is healthy, but abusing the press because of political setbacks is unacceptable.”

Sharma also questioned the timing and intent of Omar’s tweet, alleging it was aimed more at gaining sympathy than protecting democratic rights.
“Let’s not forget this is the same National Conference that used to silence critics during their tenure,” he added. “Now suddenly, when things don’t go their way, they want to wear the robe of press defenders? That’s hypocrisy.”

He further said that political leaders must respect journalistic independence and not try to control narratives through emotional blackmail.

“Statehood and democracy can’t be reclaimed by discrediting media houses and questioning their ethics,” Sharma said. “J&K has serious issues to deal with. This is not the time for social media theatrics.”(KNS)