Demand for statehood not anti-national act: CM

Srinagar, Sep 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday dared the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to point out even a single “anti-national” word in the resolution he moved in the Legislative Assembly, asserting that demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir was not an anti-national act.
Speaking to reporters after proceedings in the Assembly were disrupted over the resolution, Omar, said the resolution specifically sought the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Show me a single anti-national word used in the resolution,” Omar said.
He clarified that the statehood resolution was distinct from earlier resolutions regarding autonomy and other issues already passed by the House.
“If the BJP wants to dilute the already passed resolutions, let them bring a resolution. Who am I to oppose them if they have the votes? This is what democracy is,” he remarked.
Accusing the BJP of creating disruptions instead of allowing a debate, Omar said such conduct prevented people from knowing the party’s actual position.
“The Leader of Opposition and the BJP are opposing restoration of statehood. People of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed today that these 29 BJP MLAs are against statehood,” he said.
He urged the BJP and the Leader of Opposition to participate in the debate rather than abstaining.
“Let them come and debate in the House. Neither should they abstain nor walk out or create a ruckus. If they want statehood, let them agree, and if not, then disagree,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister stressed that the resolution was intended only to urge the Centre to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Today, it was only about statehood, and they were not ready even for that,” he added.
Responding to BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma’s remarks on the government’s two-year record, Omar said his government was prepared to discuss its performance and challenges.
“We are ready. Let them discuss it on the next Assembly day. We will detail what challenges we faced, how we faced them, and then we will be hopeful that the House will vote on the resolution and it will be sent to the Centre,” he said.
On Congress’s support, Omar said there was nothing unconstitutional about the move.
“I am glad that Congress is comfortable with it, as they know there is nothing unconstitutional in it. It seeks to take the voice of Jammu and Kashmir to New Delhi. The only thing to be seen is whether the BJP is part of the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and that will be known after discussions,” he said.
He reiterated that the statehood resolution was separate from earlier ones.
“There is nothing wrong in it. It is in addition to those already passed. It is separate, and there is nothing unconstitutional in it,” he maintained.
Omar emphasized that the demand for restoration of statehood was not about his government or family but about the entire Union Territory.“Statehood is not about the government, nor about my family, but about the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. (KNO)