Omar Abdullah: “Statehood for J&K—assurance received at highest level”

Days after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed administrative secretaries in Srinagar on Monday. He stated he had received “assurances from the highest level” that the union territory status of J&K is temporary.

Abdullah warned that those who believe being a union territory (UT) will protect them from accountability are mistaken. “The shield may last temporarily, but it is only temporary,” he emphasized, as reported by The Indian Express.

He also addressed the governance situation, referring to Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha’s role. Abdullah pointed out that employees have been operating under a “hybrid system of governance.” Some individuals may think they can exploit this system for personal gain. However, he reassured them, saying, “This is very much a temporary phase.”

Reflecting on his recent meetings in the national capital, Abdullah called them “successful.” He expressed confidence that once statehood is restored, there would be no loopholes to exploit. “I have received assurance at the highest level that commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir regarding governance will change,” he added.

On October 16, the J&K cabinet passed a resolution seeking the restoration of statehood. Abdullah met with key leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of Roads, Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, and Prime Minister Modi last week.

In 2019, the BJP-led central government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided the region into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Recently, J&K elected a government after a five-year hiatus, with the National Conference winning 42 out of 90 seats.

Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina remarked that restoring statehood is a policy matter, not a political issue. He noted, “Peace, harmony, and prosperity have returned to Jammu and Kashmir over the past ten years under PM Modi’s leadership and the hard work of J&K’s citizens, the army, police, and paramilitary forces. With a newly elected government in place, we should discuss and address sensitive issues through cooperation, without playing politics.”