Sunday, July 20, 2025

Omar meets Amit Shah, discusses J&K statehood 

Amit Shah Omar Abdullah 1

New Delhi, Oct 23:  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and discussed issues related to the Union Territory including early restoration of statehood.

On his first visit to the national capital after assuming office last week, Abdullah spent nearly 30 minutes with the Home Minister.

He later said that it was a courtesy call during which he apprised the Union Home Minister about the situation and also discussed the issue of restoration of statehood.

Abdullah’s visit follows the terror attack in the Gangangir area of Ganderbal district, where terrorists mercilessly killed seven individuals, including a doctor, just three days ago.

Since the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019, the police force has been under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry.

During his stay in Delhi, the chief minister is scheduled to meet the central leadership, including an anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Abdullah’s National Conference achieved a remarkable victory in the recent assembly polls in the Union Territory, securing 42 out of the 90 seats.

In a significant move during his first cabinet meeting, a resolution was passed urging the central government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir in its original form.

This restoration is seen as a crucial step towards initiating a healing process, reinstating constitutional rights, and safeguarding the unique identity of the region’s residents.

With the J-K Cabinet’s endorsement, the chief minister has been empowered to engage with the prime minister and the central government to advocate for the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

This resolution was also approved by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Last week, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the Prime Minister and Home Minister have already made it clear that statehood will be granted to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time.

“Prime Minister has said statehood will be restored during campaigning in Srinagar. “And the Home Minister has said in Parliament that Statehood will be given to J&K at an appropriate time. So where is the question? What I am happy about is that developments are taking place in the same sequence as they have been promised: first delimitation, then elections, and, finally, statehood,” he said.

Last month,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the decision to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory is “temporary” and the BJP-led government will restore the statehood to the region.

 “BJP is the only party which will restore statehood to the region,” he reiterated.

On Thursday, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed hope that the Centre would soon restore the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have raised the issue of (restoration of) statehood before as well. Today, the Supreme Court has said it will be listed soon. I am hopeful that the Government of India will soon restore the statehood,” Abdullah added.

The government will work on achieving what is in the (NC’s) manifesto, address the problems of the people, and take J-K on the path of peace and progress “so that we make this state better”, he said.

“There is huge unemployment and it is important to end that. Traffic has to be managed. Our people who ride scooters, do not wear helmets, that needs to be seen. The corruption will be taken care of,” he added.