Omar Abdullah: “Will Not Demand Statehood Amid National Mourning”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday asserted that he would not demand statehood for the region in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Speaking during a special session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, Abdullah questioned whether his politics was “so cheap” that he would seek statehood at a time when the country is mourning the tragedy.
“I will not use this moment to demand statehood. After Pahalgam, with what face can I ask for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir? Meri kya itni sasti siyasat hai? We have spoken about statehood in the past and will continue to do so in the future, but it would be shameful to approach the Centre now citing the death of 26 innocent people,” Abdullah said.
Visibly emotional, Abdullah said he struggled to find words to console the victims’ families.
“As the host, it was my responsibility to ensure the safe return of tourists, and I failed. I don’t know what to say to the children who lost their father or the newlywed woman who lost her husband. They ask what their fault was—they came here simply to holiday. Those who committed this heinous act claim to have done it for us, but did we ask for this? We are not in support of such attacks,” he said.
However, Abdullah found hope in the widespread condemnation from the people of Kashmir themselves.
“In every tragedy, there’s a need to look for a ray of hope. For the first time in 26 years, I saw the people of Jammu and Kashmir unitedly condemning the attack, saying it was not done in their name. Only through such unity can we defeat terrorism and violence. We must avoid any action or remark that would alienate people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, after which the session was adjourned sine die.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had moved the resolution, which also endorsed the diplomatic measures taken by the Union Government after the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting. The resolution described the attack as an assault on the values of “Kashmiriyat,” the Constitution, and the spirit of unity, peace, and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. It expressed solidarity with the victims and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The Pahalgam terror attack is among the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. Following the Pahalgam incident, India has adopted stringent measures against Pakistan, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism.
