Srinagar, May 06 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticised the continued delay in restoration of statehood, calling it “deeply unfair” and questioning whether people are being penalised for not electing a BJP-led government.
Speaking to PTI, Abdullah said the Centre’s repeated assurance of restoring statehood at an “appropriate time” lacks clarity and has stretched far beyond the promised timeline.
“Is it because the BJP was not allowed to form a government here? Is that why the people of J&K are being punished?” he said.
He added that if such a condition existed, it should have been stated clearly. “They should have stood up and said that till the BJP’s chief minister does not sit in Jammu and Kashmir, you will not get statehood. Then people would know what to expect,” he said, terming the delay a “deceit”.
The Chief Minister said the Centre had outlined a three-step roadmap—delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood—of which the first two have already been completed.
“We are well past the point of early. Early would have been soon after the elections. It has been needlessly delayed, and nobody is able to explain why,” he said.
Despite meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Abdullah said there is no clear benchmark for determining when the “appropriate time” will arrive.
“What is the yardstick to measure appropriate time? At least if we knew, we would work towards it,” he said.
Referring to the legal and political backdrop, Abdullah noted that the Supreme Court of India in 2023 had said statehood should be restored “at the earliest”, but described the phrase as vague.
“That’s the problem with ‘at the earliest’. It’s so vague,” he said, adding that all options, including legal recourse, remain open though such steps carry risks.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his party remains committed to its core political position but ruled out raising expectations on restoration of special status under Article 370.
“Talking to the current government about Article 370 is a waste of time; it is tantamount to befooling people. Those who are not ready to give you statehood, will they be ready to give you Article 370?” he said.
He also took aim at critics, including opposition figures and detractors within his party, saying, “Everyone is entitled to an opinion… but I am not going to befool people by making promises that cannot be delivered.”
Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the former state into two Union Territories.