Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its stand on Article 370, the legacy of the Maharaja, and the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA). Addressing the Assembly during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s Address, Abdullah questioned the BJP on whether abrogating Article 370 had resolved the issues in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a rise in terrorism in the region.
Statehood Will Be Restored
Expressing confidence that Jammu and Kashmir will regain its statehood within a year, Abdullah stated, “Hopefully, next year, it will be the Governor who will deliver the address to the Legislature.” He assured that his party, the National Conference (NC), would fulfill all its promises within five years.
Questioning BJP’s Claims on Development
Responding to the speech of Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Abdullah challenged the BJP’s narrative on development post-Article 370 abrogation. He questioned whether projects like AIIMS, IIT, IIM, and the Ring Road could not have been executed without revoking special status. He pointed out that these projects were initiated before 2019.
Terrorism and Article 370
Referring to BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar’s statement blaming both Pakistan and Article 370 for terrorism, Abdullah countered, “If Article 370 was responsible for terrorism, then why oppose talks with Pakistan? If Pakistan spreads terror, why blame Article 370?” He claimed that terrorism has increased in Jammu post-abrogation.
Political Reservations and Representation
Abdullah refuted BJP’s claim that the abrogation of Article 370 led to an increase in Gujjar representation in the Assembly. He stated that the number of Gujjar MLAs had actually decreased from nine to six.
Legal and Political Hope for Article 370
The NC leader expressed optimism about restoring Article 370 through legal and political means. He noted that judicial decisions could be revisited, and political landscapes could shift, citing the BJP’s past minimal representation in Parliament.
BJP’s Allegations of Corruption
Mocking the BJP’s claims that abrogating Article 370 ended corruption, Abdullah referenced BJP leaders themselves criticizing the Jal Jeevan Mission as “Jugadu Jeevan Mission.” He highlighted allegations of corruption in mining and land use by BJP members.
Defending the Right to Discuss Article 370
Abdullah asserted that discussing Article 370 remains a democratic right and accused some individuals of trying to silence NC leaders. “We will continue our fight for the rights, dignity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he declared.
On PoJK and Chinese Occupied Territories
Challenging BJP leaders on their stance on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Abdullah asked, “Who has stopped you from bringing back PoJK? Also, why don’t you talk about the parts of J&K held by China? When you bring PoJK back, also get back the territories under China.”
Legacy of the Maharaja and Changing Names
Responding to BJP’s claim that NC disrespected the Maharaja, Abdullah pointed out that his government had never attempted to rename institutions honoring the Maharaja, unlike BJP governments in other states. “The Maharaja gave us Jammu and Kashmir. What did you do? You even separated Ladakh from the state,” he said, criticizing BJP’s 2019 decisions.
Criticism on July 13, 1931, Martyrs and Holiday Cancellations
Taking a dig at BJP for derogatory remarks against the 1931 martyrs, Abdullah reminded the Assembly that the Maharaja had taken reformative steps following the protests. He also dismissed the cancellation of holidays like July 13 and December 5 (Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary), stating that sacrifices remain significant even without official recognition.
Fight for Statehood and Governance
Abdullah emphasized that restoring statehood is vital for J&K’s dignity. “Half of our dignity was lost with statehood removal. As Chief Minister of a state, I ranked above Union Cabinet Ministers. Now, I am below Union Ministers of State,” he noted.
Promises and Manifesto Implementation
The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to delivering on NC’s election promises, including the release of political prisoners and the reinstatement of unjustly terminated government employees.
Legislative Reforms and PSA Criticism
Defending his stance on PSA, Abdullah argued that reliance on preventive detention laws indicates weak cases. He urged proper legal proceedings for stone pelters and OGWs rather than PSA detentions.
Business Rules Finalized
The Chief Minister revealed that business rules for the Assembly had been framed and sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval, aiming to streamline governance. “This system should function smoothly without confusion,” he stated.
Conclusion
Abdullah concluded with a strong reaffirmation of his government’s commitment to justice, development, and restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “Our fight for statehood is based on truth, justice, and law. Its restoration will bring relief to our people,” he asserted.
