Srinagar | July 16, 2025
Jammu and Kashmir’s former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday welcomed the renewed focus on the region during parliamentary proceedings, expressing gratitude to senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for raising the long-pending demand for the restoration of statehood.
“We are only asking for what was promised—repeatedly—in Parliament, in the Supreme Court, and on public platforms,” Abdullah said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Even the Supreme Court said ‘at the earliest.’ How long will we wait?”
The remarks come amid growing calls from opposition parties for the Centre to fulfill its commitment of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was downgraded to a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Abdullah emphasized that the demand is not new, but a reiteration of assurances made by the government and reaffirmed by the apex court. “It is not a political favour we are asking for—it is a constitutional right and a matter of dignity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
The issue of statehood is expected to remain a contentious point in the ongoing parliamentary session as opposition leaders step up pressure on the government for a clear timeline.
