‘We are a UT until statehood is restored,’ says CM

Jammu, Mar 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday criticised opposition members for walking out of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over the use of the term “Union Territory,” asserting that the region would remain a Union Territory until Parliament restored its statehood.
The controversy began as the Assembly passed a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017, amid a walkout by People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone. Lone contended that passing the bill while using the term “Union Territory” amounted to an endorsement of Jammu and Kashmir’s current status.
Lone, expressing strong opposition, said, “I will not be a part of this sin,” before walking out of the session.
In response, Abdullah stated, “Just because we have mentioned ‘Union Territory’ here and not anything else, it does not change our reality. Unfortunately, until Parliament of India restores our statehood, we will remain a Union Territory. So let us not politicise this.” He also pointed out that walking out would not further the cause. “We should not engage in politics over WhatsApp university posts, which some of us have received,” he added.
The Chief Minister stressed that removing the word ‘UT’ would not change the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is governed as a Union Territory. ” We will restore statehood, but whether we like it or not, we are a Union Territory,” he remarked. The Chief Minister underscored that his government functions within the framework of the Union Territory.
“We have taken an oath as representatives of a Union Territory. We contested elections for the Union Territory Assembly. We are passing the budget of a Union Territory,” he said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Wahid Para also expressed concern, saying the bill’s passage was a tacit endorsement of Jammu and Kashmir’s Union Territory status.
Abdullah responded by pointing out that all business conducted in the Assembly has been under the designation of “Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.” He highlighted that he had mentioned the term repeatedly in previous legislative sessions, including during the passing of the finance bill. “Why didn’t Sajad stage a walkout then?” Abdullah asked.
Addressing the legislative procedure, CM Omar Abdullah pointed out, “The reality remains: we are a Union Territory. If we were a state, things would be different. The grants that have just been passed would have been discussed in detail, and cut motions would have been raised. But these are grants from the Home Department, and they passed without any discussion or cut motions—because we are a Union Territory.”
Taking a dig at opposition tactics, Abdullah remarked, “Staging a walkout for the cameras and claiming ‘I am not part of this crime’ does not change the fact that the crime has already been committed against us.”
Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s commitment to seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that it has been a priority since the first cabinet meeting. “We passed a resolution in the first cabinet meeting and submitted it to the Prime Minister. I raised the issue with him during the Sonamarg visit of Prime Minister. Every time I visit Delhi, in every meeting, I reiterate that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not accept the UT status, he stated.”
The bill, introduced by Finance Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on behalf of Abdullah, marked the first legislation of the ongoing Budget session.
Later, the bill was passed with voice—vote with NC, Congress and their allies supporting it.