Srinagar, Jul 21: National Conference Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said they cannot expect the restoration of Article 370 from the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Centre and called the protest in New Delhi as the beginning of the party’s campaign for Statehood restoration.
Addressing a press conference a day after the Delhi protest, accompanied by NC senior leader Nasir Aslam Wani and party spokesperson Ifra Jan, Omar said: “It would be unwise to expect Article 370 from the BJP. But the protest held in Delhi was aimed at reminding the Centre about the promises made to J&K.”
He added that the Delhi protest is not an end but a beginning of the party’s fight over the restoration of statehood. “This is what the Centre has promised to us, and we went to Delhi to remind them about the promises they have made in the Supreme Court and other places,” he said, adding that statehood is the foundation for any future discussion on restoring the region’s “special constitutional status”.
Referring to criticism of the party’s recent protest in New Delhi, Omar said attempts to ridicule political initiatives aimed at safeguarding J&K’s interests were not new.
Drawing parallels with the past, he recalled that when the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking the restoration of autonomy, it was opposed by those advocating either an independent Jammu and Kashmir or accession to Pakistan. He alleged that the then Central Government was unhappy with the autonomy resolution and that a new political party was subsequently created in 2000 to weaken and divide the political voice of the people.
The CM said similar circumstances were unfolding today as the NC had travelled to Delhi under a planned programme. “All political parties were invited to participate because the issue concerned the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than any particular party or government. However, not only did some parties refuse to join the campaign, but they also attempted to ridicule and undermine it. What disappoints me is that those who claim to be well-wishers of Jammu and Kashmir chose to mock the initiative instead of supporting it,” he said.
Responding to criticism that his party should first focus on the restoration of Article 370, Abdullah said the National Conference had never abandoned those demands. “Restoration of statehood must precede any meaningful discussion on Article 370 or any other form of special constitutional status. “What is Article 370 without statehood? What is the meaning of special status without a State?” he asked.
Omar explained that any special constitutional arrangement is based on the sharing of powers between the Centre and a State through the State List, Union List, and Concurrent List. “In a Union Territory, there is no State List. Decisions are controlled by the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet decisions require the Lieutenant Governor’s approval before they are announced. Without statehood, there can be no meaningful power-sharing,” he said.
Recalling the first Assembly session after his government assumed office, Abdullah said the Assembly had already passed a resolution seeking restoration of J&K’s special status with constitutional guarantees and had forwarded it to the Centre. “That resolution still exists. Unlike the earlier autonomy resolution, which critics say was thrown into the dustbin, this one remains alive. One day it will have to be discussed,” he said, adding that such a discussion could only take place after the restoration of statehood.
The Chief Minister accused certain political parties of avoiding confrontation with the BJP and the Central Government while limiting themselves to criticism on social media. “They remained inside their homes while we took to the streets. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have now seen who is willing to fight for their rights, dignity and honour and who prefers to remain behind mobile phones,” he said.
He described the participation of 90-year-old National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah in the Delhi protest as the most powerful symbol of the movement.
