Threats addressed to Dagestanis cause new criticism of Kadyrov

The threats to his opponents declared by Ramzan Kadyrov in the dispute about Imam Shamil have triggered a new wave of Chechens vs. Dagestanis confrontation, while the character of his statements is unacceptable for an official at the level of a head of the region, network users and residents of Chechnya assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on the 20th anniversary of the Chechen militants' invasion into Dagestan, Ramzan Kadyrov drew a parallel between these events and the 19th century Caucasian War and accused Imam Shamil of repressions against Chechens for their unwillingness to confront Russia. On August 8, in Makhachkala, several dozen people came to the Avar Theatre to protest against Kadyrov's words about Imam Shamil. The action caused Kadyrov's discontent. People who continue writing "twaddle and nonsense" on the Internet should come to their senses so that not to initiate war against them, Ramzan Kadyrov said in his recent video message.

The Kadyrov's statements about "devils" are harmful and provocative, the YouTube users and residents of Chechnya interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe. Local residents have also criticized Ramzan Kadyrov's level of reasoning.

"This person is a republic's president; he's an adult, a person who calls himself a Muslim, while he talks like a teenager. The Imam was buried in the cemetery next to the Prophet; all is said by this," Rizvan Akhmedov, a network user, has stated. "It's impossible for the leader to quarrel two nations! He can't divide people into two camps," said Yusup Zainulabidov.

"This is a harmful and provocative statement. Ramzan behaves not like the head of the Russian subject, but like some kind of a guy who invites his opponents to a showdown," a local resident named Abu told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Kadyrov resorts to such derogatory remarks about his critics and threatens them with repressions. His statement makes a split between Chechens and Dagestanis – you see mutual reproaches and insults in the networks, as it was the case during recent border disputes," Magomed, a resident of Chechnya, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 14, 2019 at 04:46 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.