Jammu and Kashmir (J&) CM Omar Abdullah stated on Monday, April 28, that he would not raise the issue of statehood for the union territory while the nation is mourning the loss of 26 lives in the tragic Pahalgam terror attack.
He acknowledged that statehood remains a key priority for the J&K government and will continue to be so, but emphasized that this is not the appropriate time to bring up the matter. The demand for statehood has been a point of contention between the Centre and the Opposition since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
“I will not use this moment to demand statehood. After Pahalgam, with what face can I ask for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir? Meri kya itni sasti siyasat hai? We have talked about statehood in the past and will do so in the future too, but it will be shameful on my part if I go and tell the central government that 26 people have died, now give me statehood,” Abdullah said in the J&K assembly.
He added, “This incident affected the entire country. We have seen many such attacks in the past… An attack of such a large scale has been carried out after 21 years in Baisaran… I did not know how to apologise to the families of the deceased… Being the host, it was my duty to send the tourists back safely. I couldn’t do it. I do not have the words to seek an apology.”
Furthermore, Abdullah commented that militancy and terrorism will end when people support J&K. The Assembly passed a resolution condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
“Militancy and terrorism will end when people will support us. This is the beginning of that… We should not say or show anything which harms this movement that has arisen… We can control militancy using guns, it will end only when people support us. And now it seems people are reaching that point,” the CM said.
