Mohd Irfan
In a bold and defiant stance, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reaffirmed his unwavering demand for the restoration of statehood, taking a swipe at political adversaries and the central government’s prolonged indecision.
Speaking at an event organized by a News Chanel at Jammu, Abdullah declared that the resolution seeking statehood and addressing the fate of the reservation committee has not been rejected by the Centre—a marked departure from past precedents, which, he insisted, represents a major success for his administration.
“Both resolutions have been accepted, and none of them rejected,” Abdullah asserted, emphasizing that the cabinet’s resolution had been personally submitted to the Prime Minister. “The investigation regarding the granting of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is ongoing,” he said, signaling an active engagement on the matter at the highest levels.
Drawing a stark contrast with history, he lamented how past assembly resolutions were summarily dismissed by the central government. “In Vajpayee’s era, when a resolution was passed, the cabinet rejected it outright. Arun Jaitley later led discussions, but even then, the cabinet threw it out,” he recalled. However, this time, he noted, the Centre has not rejected the J&K Assembly’s decision, making it a crucial foundation for negotiations and a gateway for other political parties to initiate dialogue with New Delhi.
“Getting something rejected by the Centre isn’t a Herculean task,” he said bluntly. “But this time, our resolution stands, which is why we have successfully entered conclusive talks.”
Abdullah hit back at critics who have accused his government of failing to deliver on promises. He dismissed claims that his administration was in a “compromising position,” calling out the hypocrisy of political leaders who privately supported the resolution but later changed their stance under pressure.
“If the resolution we passed was worthless, why did they create a ruckus in the Assembly, demanding its implementation?” he asked, exposing the doublespeak of his opponents. “They were the ones thumping benches, waving the resolution, and calling it a ‘masterstroke’ when they visited my office. Now, after being reprimanded by their leadership, they act as if there was nothing in it.”
Abdullah made it clear that a resolution must have the strength to withstand scrutiny rather than being a mere formality. “Sending a piece of paper to the Centre only to get it rejected is easy,” he said. “Then you [the media] would be the first to call this a ‘toothless assembly.’ But our resolution wasn’t dismissed. That’s the difference.”
As the crowd erupted in applause, Abdullah challenged his detractors: “If there was nothing in the resolution, why didn’t they say so earlier? What more do they want? It already addresses everything—from special status to the guarantees of Jammu and Kashmir.”
With Abdullah standing firm, the ball is now in the Centre’s court. His government has succeeded in pushing the conversation forward, refusing to let J&K’s statehood become a forgotten promise. As the debate intensifies, one thing is clear—Omar Abdullah has thrown down the gauntlet, daring New Delhi to act. The fight for Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is far from over, but the ground has undoubtedly shifted.
