Omar Abdullah defends J-K’s special status resolution, assures statehood restoration

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir UT’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the resolution on special status passed by the Legislative Assembly was no compromise and that it was drafted in a way to ensure the Centre doesn’t trash it.

Speaking on the motion of thanks of the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the Assembly, Omar, as per the news agency KNO, said that some members here claimed that the resolution passed by this House was a “compromise.”

“There is no compromise. Late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed entered into an alliance with the BJP and when he passed away, the PDP put conditions and sought an Agenda for Alliance. BJP kept PDP waiting for three months,” Omar said. “When the government was formed with the BJP, PDP worked on the same salary.”

Omar said that it was because of that compromise that J&K reached this stage. “They tell us that we were also part of the BJP. I admit, yes, we were but not here. We were in an alliance with the BJP at the Centre to ensure BJP doesn’t reach J&K,” Omar said. “When by-elections were held in Jammu, NC fielded its own candidate and won the seat. Perhaps that became the reason for BJP to cut some Jammu areas that were made part of Anantnag now.”

He said when the special status resolution was passed, the Kashmir-based opposition leaders were seen thumping the tables. “I believe due to the ruckus created by the BJP; they would not have read the copy of the resolution here. They came to my chamber, hugged and congratulated me. And till then, they still didn’t read the copy of the resolution. After the House was adjourned, they still couldn’t read it,” Omar said. “These people (Kashmiri opposition leaders) told me it was historic and then claimed it was a compromise.”

Omar said that the resolution was drafted in a way so that the Centre doesn’t trash it or send it to the dustbin. “Today, Home Minister (Amit Shah) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior ministers of Government of India are talking about it. If this resolution would have been weak, why would the PM, HM and others mention it? The fact is that this Assembly has passed a historic resolution that would open doors, not close the doors,” the Chief Minister said.

Omar said that he doesn’t expect much from the present government at the Centre. “The roadmap is there for the next government, be it us or other parties,” he said.

He said that at times, he regrets how much J&K has lost. “But what keeps me going is the enthusiasm inside. I will not ensure even a single day is wasted and something is achieved for the people of J&K,” the Chief Minister said.

‘Historic session’

The Chief Minister said that the first session was for five days and the time was less. “But it was historic and a historic resolution was passed. I thank all the voters of J&K, who participated in large numbers in the recently concluded elections irrespective of the fact for whom they voted,” Omar said.

He added, “The voters stood in queues and voted in large numbers. I assure all voters that the Assembly will reflect their aspirations. I want to tell the voters that this House belongs to them and those also who didn’t vote.”

On LG’s address

Omar said that they wanted a detailed discussion on LG’s address with every member’s participation.

“We wanted the opposition to talk about why they don’t need constitutional safeguards. Instead of a discussion, we saw a drama. They (BJP legislators) climbed tables and even didn’t spare the secretary’s table as well,” Omar said, adding that it is in favour of the government when opposition creates uproar.

‘Freedom of speech back after 5 years’

The Chief Minister said that he was glad to see freedom of speech returning in J&K. “Be it social media or other means or those whose pens had stopped to write and whose computer keys had gathered rust and dust, all are back and expressing their views again after a gap of five years,” he said.

On change in academic session

The Chief Minister said that there was a huge demand for change in academic session. “This was part of our disempowerment that the exam schedule was changed without consulting parents and students. I am thankful to Education Minister Sakina Itoo, who reviewed and brought a proposal and we reversed the decision and restored it to the November-December session,” he said.

‘Verification was weaponized’

Omar said that the verification process especially CID verification, regarding jobs, passports and other things was weaponized. “My government is working to ensure the verification system is eased for the relief of people,” he said.

‘Peace with people’s partnership’

Omar said that J&K was a UT and law and order was not the domain of his government. “But that doesn’t mean we have a rift with the police or any other security agency. The government is ready to support police and other security forces to establish peace. If there is no peace, development won’t take place. There are two ways of establishing peace: By force, which entails arresting people and creating fear psychosis and second, establishing peace with people’s partnership. I am with the second one.”

‘Will ensure release of prisoners’

Omar said that once J&K gets its full statehood, his government will work for the release of prisoners who have no serious charges and cases against them. “At present, it’s not our domain but once we get our powers, we will pursue this issue,” he said.

On statehood

Omar said that the current Assembly is not the one he would have wanted in terms of powers. “But this House is a way forward to make J&K a full-fledged state. I was in Delhi recently where I handed over copies of the cabinet resolution on Statehood cleared by the LG office to PM Modi. My meetings were successful and I am hopeful that the Statehood will be restored soon,” Omar said.