J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Chief minister Omar Abdullah has made a sharp and clear demand for the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, asserting it as a “fundamental right” of its people and warning against any half-measures like a “hybrid system” where key powers remain with the Centre.In a detailed interview to PTI, Abdullah said the ruling National Conference was exploring all options, including moving the Supreme Court, to push the Centre for action. “We’re not asking for a favour. The Centre promised this in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. Statehood is our right,” he said.Rejects ‘Hybrid Model’, targets security failuresRejecting suggestions that law and order could remain with the Union government even after statehood is restored, Abdullah questioned why such a system wasn’t applied to other large states like Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra. “This model doesn’t work. Elected governments have managed security better than Union territory rule,” he said.
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Citing the rise in terror attacks, including the Pahalgam massacre where 26 tourists were killed, Abdullah claimed militancy has spread into areas previously cleared under his government. “From two-and-a-half districts, militancy has spread to almost every district of the Valley and large parts of Jammu. Who’s responsible? The Union territory model,” he said.‘Good relationship with PM doesn’t silence us’While Abdullah confirmed that statehood has been raised multiple times in meetings with Prime Minister Modi and home minister Shah, he declined to reveal specifics, maintaining that dialogue doesn’t preclude dissent. “Confrontation happens when confrontation is due,” he said, adding that public cooperation with the Centre doesn’t mean silence over failures.In a veiled swipe at PDP’s past alliance with BJP, Abdullah contrasted his pragmatic engagement with what he called PDP’s “political expediency.”Statehood fight likely to go legalAbdullah confirmed his party is consulting legal experts and may approach the Supreme Court over statehood. He stressed that statehood is not just a political demand but a question of constitutional rights. “It’s not ideal to run a large region like J&K without full statehood,” he said.As political pressure builds, Abdullah’s message to Delhi was direct: “The people of Jammu and Kashmir will not settle for anything less.”
