Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has been advocating for full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, has made a statement in the Legislative Assembly that has stirred up a political storm. He remarked that if the granting of full statehood is contingent upon the end of terrorism, then the decision would lie with Pakistan, not Delhi. Omar Abdullah said, “Our proposal makes no mention of special status or the restoration of Article 370. Yet, the BJP succeeded in influencing some of my members to move amendments seeking to include these elements in the proposal for restoring statehood. I urge all members not to press for amendments that the BJP could use to derail the statehood process.” “The decision regarding Jammu & Kashmir will be taken in Islamabad”…
CM Abdullah stated, “If the restoration of statehood is contingent upon the situation regarding terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir—meaning it will only be restored once complete peace prevails—then I would say that the decision to restore statehood will be taken not in New Delhi, but in Islamabad, Pakistan.” Omar Abdullah further stated, “Statehood is not for me or the BJP, but for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, because the lack of statehood affects us. The Law Department has advised the Speaker against discussing the issue of statehood, citing the fact that the matter is sub judice. I do not know at whose behest the Law Secretary—acting on the instructions of the Chief Secretary—is opposing a proposal moved by the Chief Minister. As a consequence of the absence of statehood, a Chief Secretary is opposing his own Chief Minister.”
The Chief Minister further remarked that the BJP has destroyed the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh. They have dismantled the framework established by Maharaja Hari Singh, the laws he enacted, and safeguards such as the ‘State Subject’ status. They are a group of liars who have destroyed the state created by Maharaja Hari Singh.
