Indian Home Minister Amit Shah assures Jammu and Kashmir statehood to CM Abdullah

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (Oct 24) met with the newly-elected chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss key issues. According to media reports, Shah assured CM Omar Abdullah that statehood will soon be granted to the union territory, fulfilling a promise made to the Supreme Court of India.

News agency PTI reported that Abdullah, who was on his first trip to the national capital after assuming office, discussed security issues related to the UT with home minister Shah. The meeting came after the Omar Abdullah government’s cabinet passed a resolution urging the central government to restore the territory’s statehood. The resolution was endorsed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two Union Territories in August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 that guaranteed limited autonomy to the region.

Abdullah’s visit to Delhi drew criticism from local leaders in Kashmir.

People’s Conference Chairman Sajjad Lone said the issue of statehood was just an excuse for the CM.

“This gentleman fought an entire election, accusing almost everybody of being in league with these Lords. Statehood is just an excuse. To meet and greet the Lords,” Lone said.

He had also questioned the J&K government’s resolution on statehood, saying it was “shrouded in mystery and secrecy”. “We are not demanding or expecting anything extraordinary. Do what you promised the people of J&K in your manifesto,” Lone had said.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti had also voiced her opposition to the resolution, calling it “utter surrender” before New Delhi.

“Omar Abdullah’s first resolution on statehood is nothing less than ratification of the August 5, 2019 decision,” she said.

Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, alias Engineer Rashid, also expressed disappointment, saying the resolution’s focus on statehood only, without mentioning Article 370, is “very painful”.

(With inputs from agencies)