Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to reinstating the region’s statehood and restoring its constitutional guarantees, which were altered in August 2019. Speaking during his Independence Day address at Bakshi Stadium, Abdullah assured the populace of continued representation and dedicated efforts to elevate Jammu and Kashmir to the aspirations of its freedom fighters.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Abdullah emphasized that honoring the sacrifices of those who fought for the region’s freedom includes pursuing the return of special status, the re-establishment of constitutional safeguards for Jammu and Kashmir, the regaining of statehood, and ushering in an era of renewed progress. He drew a parallel between the current situation and the historical decision of the National Conference founder, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, and his associates to resist the tribal invasion in 1947, stating that recent events in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) vindicate that stance.
Abdullah remarked, “When I see the situation across the border, I realize that our ancestors who said ‘hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar’ (Attackers beware, Kashmiris are prepared) were right.” He further noted the martyrdom of Master Abdul Aziz, a National Conference leader, in Muzaffarabad for his efforts to thwart the attack. The Chief Minister posited that if the special constitutional guarantees had not been revoked by the Centre in 2019, the people in PoJK would likely be advocating for reunification with Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing sorrow and concern over the condition of that part of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah stated his belief that had the region’s status remained unchanged in 2019, residents across the Line of Control might today be protesting to reconnect with them. He asserted that the territory across the LoC is considered an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir, and its people are viewed as their own. He highlighted that seats are still reserved in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly with the hope that these will one day be occupied by representatives from that region.
Abdullah identified democracy and federalism as India‘s paramount strengths, underscoring the critical responsibility to protect, strengthen, and preserve democracy at all costs. He described India as a union of states not merely in writing but in spirit, asserting that the strengthening of federalism must commence from Jammu and Kashmir. He called for the return of what was taken away to ensure that federalism and identity are not just nominal but are actively practiced.
He clarified that enhancing federalism extends beyond elevating a union territory to statehood; it fundamentally involves empowering the states themselves. Abdullah warned that federalism is undermined when central agencies encroach upon state affairs, erode state powers, and usurp their functions, often leading to public unrest, as evidenced by recent student protests in Delhi. He pointed out that while education and health were traditionally state responsibilities under the federal structure, changes in examination patterns for national institutions like NEET, NTA, and JEE, and the removal of states’ rights to conduct admissions for medical and engineering colleges, have sparked widespread protests.
While acknowledging the utility of national examinations for national institutions, Abdullah maintained that states must retain the authority to conduct examinations for their own institutions. He also referenced the recent allegations of fraud in recruitment examinations in Jammu and Kashmir, which compelled young people to take to the streets. He underscored the difficulty of rebuilding credibility once it is lost, stating that destroying a system’s integrity can take minutes, but restoring it requires years.
Abdullah concluded by emphasizing the crucial roles of the government, the opposition, and the media in a democratic framework. He defined the government’s role as governance, the opposition’s as holding the government accountable both within and outside legislative bodies, and the media’s as ensuring accountability for both. However, he stressed that the primary responsibility lies with the government, while also noting that the opposition must not abdicate its duties, advocating for these principles to be put into practice rather than merely stated.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.