Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, July 20

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday accused the federal government of delaying the restoration of the region’s statehood and urged it to honour commitments made before Parliament and the Supreme Court.

Speaking at a National Conference protest in New Delhi, CM Omar said the demand was for the restoration of democratic rights and constitutional status rather than a political concession.

The protest, held as Parliament’s Monsoon Session opened, was stopped by police before reaching Jantar Mantar, according to the party.

Abdullah criticised the restrictions and questioned the Centre’s repeated reference to an “appropriate time” for restoring statehood.

“If there is no intention to restore statehood, then the Government should say so clearly,” he said.

The CM said the Supreme Court had also expected statehood to be restored at the earliest following its 2023 ruling on the abrogation of Article 370.

During the protest, CM Omar travelled by autorickshaw after security restrictions prevented his convoy from proceeding further.

He also expressed support for students protesting over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and criticised the reported use of tear gas against them.

CM Omar said the NC would continue to pursue the restoration of statehood through peaceful and constitutional means.