Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 22

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday described restoration of statehood as the “foundation stone” for reclaiming the region’s constitutional rights, while defending the National Conference’s decision to hold a protest in New Delhi.

Speaking a day after the NC demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Omar said the campaign for statehood was the beginning of a sustained political movement rather than a one-off protest.

He criticised opposition parties for not joining the demonstration, arguing that statehood was a common issue affecting the democratic rights and dignity of the people of J&K.

Omar rejected suggestions that the party’s campaign should first focus on restoration of Article 370, arguing that meaningful discussions about constitutional arrangements required the restoration of statehood.

He said his government’s Assembly resolution seeking restoration of J&K’s special status remained in force but maintained that statehood was the necessary first step.

The chief minister also rejected allegations that his recent remarks referring to US President Donald Trump amounted to seeking foreign intervention in Kashmir.

He described the reference as a satirical political response to comments by the J&K Assembly’s Leader of Opposition and said the issue of statehood was entirely an internal constitutional matter.

CM Omar said the NC would continue its campaign within India’s constitutional framework.

He described the previous day’s Delhi protest, led by NC president Farooq Abdullah, as the first phase of a wider movement and said the party would announce further programmes in J&K and New Delhi.