Statehood foundation for restoring IIOJK’s special status: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar : In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said restoration of statehood is the “foundation stone” for reclaiming the territory’s special status under Article 370, while criticising opposition parties for skipping the National Conference’s protest in New Delhi.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing reporters in Srinagar a day after the NC staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Omar said the agitation marked the beginning of a sustained political campaign. He said the NC had invited all political parties to join as statehood was a common cause concerning the dignity and democratic rights of the people, but some chose not to participate to avoid antagonising the BJP-led Indian government.
Questioning demands to first pursue Article 370, he said, “What is the meaning of Article 370 without a state? What is the meaning of Article 371 without a state?” He added that special constitutional arrangements concern the distribution of powers between New Delhi and a state, and that no such sharing exists at this point.
Omar said the Assembly had already passed a resolution seeking restoration of special status and that it remained in place, but could only be meaningfully discussed after statehood was restored. “I assure the people that we stand by every promise we made and will continue to honour them,” he said.
He described Monday’s protest, led by NC President Farooq Abdullah, as the first phase of a broader movement and said the party would soon announce the next phase of outreach across the occupied territory and Delhi.
