Omar Abdullah Reaffirms Statehood Demand, Says PoJK Situation Vindicates Sheikh Abdullah’s 1947 Stand
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said his government remains committed to restoring statehood and other constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir, which were revoked in August 2019. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Addressing the people during his Independence Day speech, Abdullah said his government would continue working towards these goals while focusing on the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our government is committed to restoring statehood and constitutional guarantees, and put Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development. We will work to fulfil these goals,” Abdullah said.
Omar Abdullah Refers to PoJK Protests
Referring to recent protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Abdullah said the situation across the Line of Control had reinforced the decision taken by National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and his colleagues in 1947 to oppose the Pakistan-backed tribal invasion.
“When I see the situation across the border, I realise that our ancestors who said ‘hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar’ (attackers beware, we Kashmiris are prepared) were right,” he said.
Abdullah also recalled the sacrifice of Master Abdul Aziz, an NC leader who, according to the chief minister, was killed in Muzaffarabad while attempting to stop the attack.
Seats Kept Vacant for PoJK
The chief minister further said that people in PoJK could have been seeking to join Jammu and Kashmir if the Centre had not revoked the region’s special constitutional guarantees in 2019.
“We have kept seats vacant for the other side in the hope that some day these will be filled,” Abdullah said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has reserved seats for areas of the former princely state that are currently under Pakistan’s control, although these seats remain vacant.
Government Focuses on Statehood and Development
Abdullah’s remarks underline the Jammu and Kashmir government’s continued demand for the restoration of full statehood and constitutional safeguards.
He said his administration would continue working towards restoring these provisions while also pursuing development across the Union Territory.
The chief minister’s Independence Day address combined his government’s political demands with a broader message about development, Jammu and Kashmir’s history and its relationship with the areas across the Line of Control.
