Srinagar, Aug 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is not a political demand, but a constitutional commitment made by the Government of India, one that must now be fulfilled without further delay.
Omar said he has written to the leaders of all major political parties in the country with a significant presence in Parliament, urging them to raise the issue of statehood in the ongoing session and push for a bill to restore J&K’s status.
“This is not about a party or a person but about a promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said. “That promise was made publicly, reiterated in Parliament, and even submitted before the Supreme Court. Now it is time for that promise to be fulfilled.”
He reminded that when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked on August 5,2019, the government had assured that statehood would be restored “as soon as possible.”
“How many years is ‘as soon as possible’? It hasn’t happened yet,” he remarked.
Omar also expressed hope that the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing petitions related to the constitutional changes made in 2019, would take note of the delay.
“It was the Supreme Court’s intervention that ensured timely elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be speaking to you today as Chief Minister. We now hope that, just like elections, the court will ensure that statehood is restored as well,” he added.
Commenting on the prevailing security situation, Omar acknowledged a shift in the environment following the April 22 attack, but noted that the annual AmarnathYatra concluded peacefully this year.
“Around 4 lakh pilgrims completed the Yatra via both Baltal and Pahalgam routes. It went smoothly, and we now hope that tourists from across the country will once again return to Kashmir and experience the warm hospitality we are known for,” he said.
Omar also expressed concern over the rising frequency of natural disasters in J&K and other parts of the country. Citing recent landslides and flash floods in Ramban and the tragic events in Uttarakhand, he warned that unchecked deforestation and hill-cutting were contributing to environmental imbalances.
“The weather is changing. Forests are being cleared, mountains are being cut. This kind of threat is now real for us too,” he said. “We are deeply saddened by what has happened in Uttarakhand and stand in solidarity with its people and government.”
