Omar Abdullah, Chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has defended the statehood resolution recently passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. He emphasized that while the resolution seeks to restore full statehood, the matter of Article 370 is beyond the current scope of the assembly.
Omar Abdullah stated that any discussion about Article 370 should be addressed by the legislative body at the appropriate time, asserting that it remains within the prerogative of the legislature.
Defending the Statehood Resolution
Omar Abdullah highlighted that the resolution aims to bring back the complete administrative and political autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, which was lost after the region was restructured into two union territories in August 2019.
He believes that this restoration of statehood is a crucial step for ensuring the proper governance of Jammu and Kashmir, and the fulfillment of promises made to its citizens.
Clarification on Article 370
Addressing concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the absence of Article 370 from the resolution, Omar Abdullah clarified that the reintroduction of Article 370 is a matter to be deliberated by a fully empowered legislature.
He reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the issue, stating that the legal and constitutional complexities surrounding Article 370 would require deeper engagement at the legislative and national levels.
Criticism from Opposition
Omar Abdullah’s defense of the resolution comes in response to criticism from several opposition parties. These parties have argued that the silence on Article 370 in the statehood resolution signals a retreat from advocating for the region’s special status.
However, Abdullah has refuted these claims, arguing that the immediate focus is on restoring full statehood and that the broader constitutional discussions would follow in due time.