Statehood cannot be held hostage to militancy: Omar asks Centre

Srinagar, Sep 28 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday questioned the Centre’s assurance that full statehood would be restored to the Union Territory at an “appropriate time”, asking whether the process could be linked to the security situation.

Speaking during a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on a resolution seeking restoration of statehood, Omar said any attempt to make the restoration conditional on the end of militancy would effectively shift the decision beyond New Delhi.

“If you are saying that statehood will not be restored until militancy ends, then you are effectively saying that the decision is not in New Delhi’s hands but in Islamabad’s hands,” Omar said.

The chief minister asked the Centre to clarify what it meant by an “appropriate time” for restoring statehood.

“I ask the Centre on every possible forum: tell us, what is the appropriate time for getting statehood?” he said.

Omar questioned the rationale of attaching conditions to a commitment to restore the status, saying Jammu and Kashmir had already accepted that the decision rested with the Centre.

“If you have already decided that your Prime Minister will not give us statehood during his tenure, it is extremely unfortunate,” he said.

‘370, 35A deliberately left out’

Defending the wording of the resolution, Omar said references to Article 370, Article 35A and special status had deliberately been omitted to keep the demand focused specifically on restoration of statehood.

“Read the resolution and tell me where we are asking for a vote on 370, 35A or special status,” he said.

He said some legislators had proposed amendments to include these issues, but argued that such amendments could have provided an opportunity for disruption in the House.

Omar also referred to earlier resolutions on special status, including one passed during the Farooq Abdullah-led government in 2000.

“The House has passed resolutions on special status not once but twice,” he said.

The chief minister said the present demand was limited to restoring the constitutional and political position Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed before its reorganisation.

“We are saying, give us back the status we had, which others did not have. That is all we are asking from the Centre,” Omar said.

He rejected the argument that restoration of statehood belonged to or would benefit any particular political party, saying the issue concerned the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is not that this state belongs to me, my family or any political party. It belongs to the people,” he said.

Omar questions powers under UT setup

The chief minister also questioned the division of powers between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor under the Union Territory framework.

Omar asked why the Revenue Department was outside the elected government’s jurisdiction when security and law and order were assigned to the Centre.

“We are told that in a Union Territory, security and law and order are with them, while the rest is with us. Then why is the Revenue Department outside our jurisdiction?” he asked.

He also raised questions over the role of the elected government in institutions such as the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

Referring to universities, including the Islamic University of Science and Technology and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Omar questioned the limited role of the elected government while the Lieutenant Governor functions as Chancellor.

‘Business rules pending for nearly two years’

Omar said the government had sent its business rules to the Centre nearly two years ago but was still awaiting approval.

“The business rules were sent to the Centre nearly two years ago. They have still not been approved,” he said.

He also raised the issue of the appointment of an Advocate General for Jammu and Kashmir, saying nearly two years had passed since the elected government assumed office.

According to Omar, the government had already submitted its proposal and the matter had also been placed before the Cabinet before being sent for further consideration.

The chief minister said several difficulties faced by the elected government were a consequence of Jammu and Kashmir’s Union Territory status.

“Tell me, in which state does this happen? A chief minister brings a resolution and the law secretary gives an opinion. This can happen only in a UT,” he said.

He also questioned the issuance of legal opinions concerning the elected government without adequate consultation with the political executive.

Omar referred to changes in the constitutional and legal framework associated with the erstwhile state following its reorganisation and said the government was awaiting reports of committees constituted on various issues.

“We have been humiliated. We want an account of it. We are demanding our rights,” he said.

The chief minister reiterated that the Legislative Assembly had made its position clear by seeking restoration of full statehood and urged the Centre to act on its commitment. (KNS)