Associated News Bureau

J&K Assembly passes resolution seeking immediate restoration of full Statehood,CM says J&K’s Statehood is our right, not a favour; questions prolonged delay & lack of clarity over restoration

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed a resolution calling upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Leader of the House, on September 25 and was taken up and passed by the House today. The resolution, in continuation of resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024, states: “In addition to the Resolutions passed by this House on 26th June 2000 and 6th November 2024, this House calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this Resolution be forwarded to Government of India.” Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the resolution was necessitated by the continued uncertainty over the restoration of Statehood despite the passage of nearly two years since the formation of the elected government. Referring to the earlier resolution passed by the House on special status and constitutional guarantees, the Chief Minister urged members not to press amendments that, he said, could provide an excuse to the opposition (BJP) to oppose the Statehood resolution. “Why do we need this resolution? It has been two years. We have been waiting for two years, that the central government will fulfill its promise,” he said. The Chief Minister referred to the Supreme Court judgment concerning Jammu and Kashmir and said the Court had directed that Statehood be restored at the earliest after elections. Questioning the continued delay, he said there was a need for clarity on what was meant by the phrase “at the earliest” and “as soon as possible”. “Tell me, Mr Speaker, in which English, ‘as soon as possible’ means two years? In which English, ‘at the earliest possible’ means two years? And even after two years, there is still no clarity,” he said. Omar Abdullah also sought clarity from the Union Government on the reference to restoring Statehood at an “appropriate time”. He questioned whether the restoration of Statehood was being linked to the security situation and militancy in the region. The Chief Minister said that if restoration of Statehood was to depend on the complete cessation of militancy, the decision would effectively be linked to developments beyond the control of the elected government and people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the decision on restoration of Statehood should be taken in New Delhi and not be left dependent on any other factor or external consideration. The Chief Minister also rejected the argument that the demand for Statehood was linked to any particular political party or government. He said Statehood was an issue concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir and not a matter of political ownership. CM said that statehood is not for a particular party, family or for National Conference only but statehood would be for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.