Lieutenant Governor Endorses Omar-Led Resolution Advocating for J&K’s Original Statehood
Srinagar, 19-10-2024: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has given his approval to a resolution passed by the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet, urging the central government to restore statehood to the Union Territory. According to officials, the resolution was passed unanimously during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday. While the spokesperson for the government did not disclose additional details, he confirmed that the Lieutenant Governor had endorsed the cabinet’s resolution.
The spokesperson emphasized that the restoration of statehood is seen as a significant step toward initiating a healing process for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, reclaiming their constitutional rights, and protecting the region’s unique identity. The spokesperson further noted that the cabinet had given the Chief Minister the authority to engage directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central government officials to advocate for the restoration of statehood.
Reaffirming the government’s policy stance, the spokesperson highlighted that the protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and the constitutional rights of its people remain central to the newly-elected administration’s agenda. In light of this, the Chief Minister is scheduled to travel to New Delhi soon for talks with the Prime Minister and other Union ministers regarding the statehood demand.
In addition, the cabinet has decided to convene the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar on November 4 and has recommended that the Lieutenant Governor summon and address the assembly. The spokesperson mentioned that the draft of the LG’s address for the opening session of the Legislative Assembly was also presented to the Council of Ministers. The Council has agreed to review and discuss the draft further before finalizing it.
The resolution has sparked controversy among political parties in the region. Critics, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference (PC), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), have condemned the move, accusing the National Conference (NC) of abandoning its commitment to restore Articles 370 and 35A, along with statehood, as they existed before August 5, 2019. These parties described the resolution as an “utter surrender” and a deviation from the NC’s pre-election promises.
These political reactions reflect the ongoing complexities and challenges in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. Many parties feel that a focus solely on statehood, without addressing the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, falls short of their demands for full constitutional restoration.
