Omar Abdullah, a prominent political figure from Jammu and Kashmir, has once again voiced his demand for the restoration of the region’s statehood, asserting that the assurances received thus far have been purely verbal. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Abdullah emphasized the need for concrete written commitments from the central government, drawing parallels with the experiences of Ladakh regarding constitutional safeguards.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Abdullah, who was in Amritsar to inaugurate the renovated heritage building of the Jammu & Kashmir House, expressed his sentiments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. When questioned about potential announcements, Abdullah stated, “What can I say as to what he (Modi) does… If nothing else, let him grant us statehood; what else could we want?” This reiteration underscores the persistent political aspiration for the return of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah elaborated on the history of the statehood issue, recalling, “You all know what happened with us. We were told that statehood would be restored after the (J&K) elections. But nothing was given in writing; only verbal assurances were given.” He extended this caution to the leadership in Ladakh, advising them against relying solely on the central government’s verbal assurances concerning their pursuit of constitutional safeguards for land and employment. “Hence, I suggest to people and friends in Ladakh not to trust the Centre’s words… Rather, have them in writing. We did not get anything in writing, and we are at the same place today. J&K has been a victim of the Centre’s verbal assurances,” Abdullah remarked.
The political leader outlined the three-step process that the central government had previously communicated: delimitation, Assembly elections, and the restoration of statehood. “Even in Parliament and in the Supreme Court, this assurance was given. While we saw delimitation and elections in J&K, in which people participated, statehood has not been restored even till now,” he noted. The revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, led to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories: Jammu and Kashmir with a legislative assembly, and Ladakh without one. Although the Supreme Court, in December 2023, upheld the central government’s decision to revoke the special status and create the Union territories, it also directed the government to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood at the earliest opportunity.
Transitioning to a different subject, Abdullah addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding UPI (Unified Payments Interface) charges. He clarified that person-to-person money transactions would remain free of charge. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is set to implement a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) of 0.4 percent on person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15, 2026. This measure is intended to ensure that everyday consumer payments continue to be free. Abdullah acknowledged the significant expenditure involved in maintaining the UPI ecosystem, reportedly around Rs 20,000 crore annually, which is funded through public taxes. He expressed that there should be no objection to industries and merchants contributing to this system, as the funds are ultimately derived from the populace.
Regarding industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah indicated that while some industries have commenced operations, the impetus is largely driven by incentive schemes provided by the central government. He highlighted the substantial potential within the region for agriculture, agri-processing, horticulture, and dairy farming, areas that are currently being actively promoted. The renovation of the Jammu & Kashmir House in Amritsar was also a focal point of his visit. Abdullah stated that the plan includes developing the heritage block and constructing a new block with rooms and a dormitory to accommodate patients from Jammu and Kashmir and their attendants who visit Amritsar for medical treatment. He also mentioned that permission has been granted to build a guest house in Chandigarh, similar to the one previously available but transferred to Ladakh after the 2019 bifurcation, to assist patients from Jammu and Kashmir visiting the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.
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.