Expressing deep grief, Omar Abdullah said that while restoring statehood remains a key objective, he would postpone the demand, refusing to turn the loss of innocent lives into a political tool.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday firmly ruled out politicising the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Expressing sorrow over the tragedy, Abdullah stated that while the restoration of statehood remains a key objective, he would not raise the issue in the wake of such a grave loss of life.
“We are not in charge of law and order in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said during a special session of the Assembly. “But I will not use today라이브 바카라 tragedy to demand statehood from the Centre. I won’t make such a demand over the dead bodies of innocent civilians.”
Abdullah, a senior National Conference leader, stressed that politics must have moral boundaries, especially in times of grief. “My politics is not so cheap that I would push for statehood at the cost of 26 lives,” he said.
The demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir라이브 바카라 statehood has long been a contentious issue between the Centre and the Opposition. It remains a central promise in the National Conference라이브 바카라 election manifesto, alongside the restoration of Article 370 and implementation of the autonomy resolution.
In August 2019, the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revoked Article 370, stripping the region of its special status and converting it into a Union Territory. While Abdullah reaffirmed the party's commitment to these goals, he insisted that human lives must never be used as political leverage.
The National Conference leader strongly condemned the terror attack and said, "Today, we want to strongly condemn the Pahalgam terror attack." He also read out the names of the victims in the Assembly, saying the safety and protection of the tourists was his responsibility.
Speaking in the Assembly, Abdullah said, "Neither of us supports this attack. This attack has hollowed us. We are trying to find a ray of light in this... In the last 26 years, I have never seen people come out to protest against an attack like this." He added that the protests were voluntary, with people carrying banners, posters, and raising slogans against terrorism.
Highlighting the change on the ground, Abdullah said, "Militancy and terrorism will end when people will support us. This is the beginning of that... We should not say or show anything which harms this movement that has arisen. We can control militancy using guns, but it will end only when people support us. And now it seems people are reaching that point."
He noted that silence was observed in mosques across Kashmir to pay tribute to the victims, calling it "huge and very significant".
Abdullah also recounted the story of the local from kashmir who died while trying to save others. "Adil, without bothering about his life, saved many tourists. He laid down his life. Instead of fleeing, he decided to save them," he said. He also lauded the efforts of pony wallahs who rescued tourists and took the injured to hospitals, food stall owners who provided free meals, and the broader spirit of Kashmiri hospitality. "I salute these people. This is our hospitality," he said.
Expressing anguish over the victims' suffering, Abdullah said, "What should I tell the widow of the Navy officer who had got married just a few days ago? I have no words to console her. Many family members of the victims asked me what was their crime? I had no answer."
He added, "Although I'm not in charge of law and order, I invited tourists to visit Kashmir. As their host, it was my duty to look after them and ensure their safety. I have no words to say sorry to the tourists."
He thanked state governments across India for taking quick action to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students facing difficulties after the attack. "I want to thank all the state governments who took immediate steps and prevented untoward incidents," he said.