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Omar Abdullah Slams West Asia Strikes, Backs India in T20 Final

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the ongoing conflict in West Asia, stating that regime change cannot be achieved through aerial bombardment. He specifically criticized the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a gross misuse of force and a violation of international law. Separately, Abdullah expressed enthusiasm for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final, hoping for a convincing Indian victory against New Zealand. Earlier, he attended an event honoring power linemen for their essential work in maintaining electricity supply.

Key Points: Omar Abdullah on West Asia Conflict & T20 World Cup

  • Condemns West Asia conflict
  • Calls killing a violation of international law
  • Says only citizens choose regimes
  • Expresses hope for India T20 win
  • Acknowledges linemen's work
2 min read

"You cannot effect regime change by aerial bombardment": J-K CM Omar Abdullah on West Asia conflict

J&K CM Omar Abdullah condemns strikes in West Asia, calls killing of Iran's leader a violation of international law. Also cheers for India in T20 final.

"You cannot affect regime change by aerial bombardment. - Omar Abdullah"

Jammu, March 8

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday condemned the ongoing West Asia conflict, asserting that regime change cannot be effected by aerial bombardment and calling the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a gross misuse of force and violation of every single international law.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said that only the citizens of a country have the right to choose their respective regimes.

"The only people who get to choose their regime are the people who live in that country... The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is absolutely correct. You can not affect regime change by aerial bombardment," he said.

Abdullah further condemns the killing of Iran's supreme leader in the recent strikes and said, "They have sacrificed the life of a religious leader, whose leadership is acknowledged not just by the Shia community but by Muslims across the world. That is not regime change. That is a gross misuse of force and violation of every single international law."

On a lighter note, Abdullah also expressed his enthusiasm ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand, scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad, and hoped for a convincing Indian victory.

"We're hoping for a solid win. We had a serious heart attack against England last match. It was a close match. We won by about 7 points. Hopefully, this time we don't feel that same heart fail," Abdullah added.

India is set to defend their title against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday in Ahmedabad, bringing an end to the tournament that began on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Earlier in the day, Abdullah attended the Lineman Diwas Celebration programme organised by the Power Development Department in Jammu, where he interacted with field staff responsible for maintaining the electricity distribution network.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the work of linemen who handle faults, restoration, and maintenance in difficult conditions, often working through the night to ensure uninterrupted power supply to households and institutions.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I agree with the principle, I wish our leaders would speak with the same conviction about issues closer to home. The focus should also be on our own challenges. That said, the point about international law is valid.
R
Rohit P
Good to see him balancing serious geopolitics with cricket enthusiasm! 😄 Fully backing Team India for the final tomorrow. Jai Hind! Let's bring that cup home. 🏏
S
Sarah B
It's a nuanced statement. The killing of a religious figure, regardless of politics, escalates tensions massively. History shows force rarely leads to stable, democratic outcomes. Hope for more diplomatic solutions.
V
Vikram M
Respect for speaking up. The world often applies rules selectively. Strong nations bully weaker ones. India's foreign policy has always been about peace and non-interference, and we should stick to that.
K
Karthik V
Also appreciate him highlighting the work of linemen. These unsung heroes keep our lights on, often in terrible conditions. Their Diwas celebration is well-deserved. Practical governance matters too.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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