Omar Abdullah Questions Delay in J&K Statehood: “Why Must We Wait for Guns to Go Silent?”
By : Sagar Reshi
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday questioned the Centre’s position on restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asking why the region must wait for “guns to go silent” before regaining its state status.
Speaking during the Assembly debate on a resolution seeking restoration of statehood, Omar said he expected opposition from BJP members and urged legislators from the ruling benches not to introduce amendments that could give the BJP a reason to oppose the resolution.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“I knew that my friends in the opposition BJP will not be happy with my resolution and they will try to disrupt the House,” Omar said, adding that the resolution had been prepared carefully.
During the debate, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and other BJP members raised slogans, including “Delhi ke saath aankh macholi bandh karo”.
Responding to the argument that statehood would be restored after the situation becomes peaceful, Omar questioned whether this meant Jammu and Kashmir had to wait for Pakistan to stop firing before statehood could return.
He asked why the Union government and Prime Minister could not restore statehood themselves.
Omar also highlighted what he described as the administrative limitations faced by the elected government because Jammu and Kashmir continues to function as a Union Territory.
Referring to the appointment of an Advocate General, he questioned why Jammu and Kashmir had remained without one for an extended period and linked the situation to the present administrative structure.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, saying that the elected government had limited control over the institution because it falls under the Lieutenant Governor. He questioned the connection between the Cultural Academy and law-and-order responsibilities.
Omar further referred to universities, including the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST). He said that when he previously served as Chief Minister, he was its Chancellor, whereas the Lieutenant Governor now holds that position.
“As Chief Minister, I have no role in decision-making,” he said.
Omar also questioned why some BJP legislators were raising slogans against the restoration of statehood, claiming that some members of the party privately support the demand but are unable to express their views openly.
The Assembly debate comes amid the continuing political demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood following its reorganisation as a Union Territory in 2019.
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