Omar Abdullah Urges Parliamentary Support for Jammu and Kashmir's Statehood Restoration

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has launched a fervent appeal to major parliamentary parties, requesting their backing for the introduction of a bill aimed at restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood during the ongoing Monsoon session. This comes after the controversial abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which saw the division of the former state into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

In a letter to political leaders, Abdullah emphasized the significance of honoring commitments made publicly, including those by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, regarding the restitution of statehood. He urged that the restoration should not be perceived as a concession but rather as a necessary course correction. This move, he argued, would resolve what he termed as a "profound and unsettling" precedent of downgrading states to union territories.

Abdullah further highlighted the growing impatience among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out the lack of tangible progress since 2019. He warned that continued delays could transform a temporary measure into a permanent state, urging for immediate action either through Parliament or court intervention. The chief minister's plea comes at a time when the region hopes for an uptick in tourism following a peaceful Amarnath Yatra.

(With inputs from agencies.)