‘Statehood our right, no hybrid system’
*Questions EC’s delay in filling RS seats
SRINAGAR, July 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has unequivocally stated that Pakistan’s “inimical intentions” remain the most formidable challenge to achieving a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir, cautioning Islamabad that India now views any terror attack as an act of war.
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In an interview with PTI, Abdullah dismissed the narrative that the abrogation of Article 370 was the solution to terrorism in the region, asserting that the recent Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives, had starkly proven this false.
“No matter what we do, if Pakistan’s intent is inimical, then we will never fully achieve a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir. And I think Pahalgam has proven that,” Abdullah said.
“The BJP tried very hard to sell this narrative that terror in Jammu and Kashmir was the result of Article 370. We know that’s not true. Terror in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of Pakistan’s intentions. And therefore, that’s why the removal of Article 370 did not stop terror in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the onus is now on Pakistan to reassess its strategy and highlighted a critical shift in New Delhi’s posture, warning that the Indian Government has set a “very low bar” for what constitutes an act of aggression.
“The biggest challenge will be to convince Pakistan that its support for these sorts of activities is bad for us, but it’s bad for Pakistan,” Abdullah stressed.
“And given now the sort of very low bar that the Government of India has set, that any attack will be seen as an act of war, Pakistan needs to seriously think about whether it wants to plunge the neighbourhood into a war.”
On the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mainly tourists, Abdullah acknowledged Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s admission of a “security and intelligence failure” and termed it as a positive first step.
However, he asserted that it was “not good enough.”
He said, “26 people died. 26 innocent people were brutally murdered. Where were the lapses? This Pahalgam incident brought two nations, two nuclear powers to war.”
“As a first step, it is appreciable that the Lt Governor (Manoj Sinha) has said that he is responsible. But down the chain of command, accountability has to be fixed, since we know now that it was a security and intelligence lapse. The next step would be to fix responsibility. And then heads must roll,” he said.
Post Pahalgam, the Chief Minister expressed optimism to a question whether his Government could balance the fragile peace with the vital need to revive tourism saying, “We have to trust our forces to do what is right and to ensure that any gaps that have been identified as a result of Pahalgam are plugged.”
He stressed about his Government’s push to restart tourism, saying “tourism is an important part of JK’s economy” and said a vast number of jobs and its appeal as a destination people genuinely want to visit.
The recent, gradual return of tourists was a heartening sign, a testament to the active efforts of his Government to participate in events across the country to bring them back.
About the security audit of tourist spots, he said, “Not that it should be done, it was being done… and those have gradually started to be reopened, and I am hopeful that after Amarnath Yatra, most of the other ones that are closed will also be reopened.”
The closures, he noted, were an anomaly. “We have never had tourist destinations closed,” he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Even in the worst of days, tourist destinations were not closed.”
He presented a stark choice. Either the situation was now far worse than it had been 10 or 15 years ago, which he believed was not the case, or a considered decision needed to be made.
“If that’s not the case, then we need to sort of take a considered decision, and post-Amarnath Yatra, start reopening all the closed areas,” he concluded, making it clear that a return to a full sense of normalcy was both necessary and long overdue.
Omar made a forceful plea for restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without further delay, and indicated that all avenues, including legal options, were being explored by the ruling National Conference in this regard.
Nearly 10 months after the National Conference swept to power in the Union Territory, Abdullah asserted that Statehood was a fundamental right of the people.
“The Centre had promised it in Parliament and before the Supreme Court,” he said.
Abdullah dismissed talk of a “hybrid system” of Government under which law and order would continue to be with the Centre even after Statehood is restored and said such talk was emanating from those who had cast doubts about the holding of last year’s Assembly elections in which over 64 per cent of voters participated.
“Well, obviously, it’s not an ideal situation. In spite of repeated promises, commitments in Parliament, commitments to the Supreme Court, the matter has still not sort of been resolved. And we’re not asking for something that is not our due. Statehood is the right, it was promised to the people.
“So, we’re not asking for it. It’s not something that is out of the ordinary or was not part of the public discourse. But, for reasons best known to the powers that be in the Union Government, it hasn’t happened so far. But, we’re pushing,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah, who maintains a “cordial” relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, refrained from disclosing specifics of their private discussions on the matter, affirming only that the issue of Statehood has been raised “multiple times at multiple levels”.
“Conversations that have been individually had between myself, the Prime Minister, Home Minister, etc. are not conversations that are meant to be shared. Rest assured, this issue of Statehood and other issues concerning J&K have been taken up multiple times at multiple levels. And we continue to do so,” he said.
He defended his pragmatic approach to engaging with the central Government, emphasising that public appreciation for cooperation does not preclude him from speaking out when warranted.
“As far as enjoying a good relationship is concerned, I don’t see why that is something that should invite so much commentary. At the end of the day, there are political equations that exist between political parties.
“Those remain in terms of whatever the National Conference has with regard to the BJP’s policies or vice versa. But then there are Government-to-Government relations.
“You tell me, barring maybe one or two examples, generally in the country, relationships between the Union Government and the Prime Minister’s office, I mean, normally both sides make an attempt to keep the relations cordial.
“In J-K’s case, the onus is again more on both the individuals who occupy the office of the Chief Minister and the prime minister to keep things cordial,” he said.
Abdullah drew a contrast with past political dynamics, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) alliance with the BJP under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti.
“What was the compulsion for Mufti Sayeed to have an alliance with the BJP? And what all Mehbooba used to say about the Prime Minister and his person. That they have forgotten,” he remarked, hinting at perceived political expediency.
He clarified his own stance: “Confrontation happens when confrontation is due. If up until now, the Government of India has been helpful, should I not be sort of at least publicly appreciative of that? But where things are not good or where things are wrong, I am not silent on that.”
To a question whether his party was planning to move the Supreme Court for Statehood, the Chief Minister said, “We are looking at various options. There have been a few conversations both within the party as well as with some experts to see what we should do.”
The Chief Minister dismissed any suggestions of a “hybrid system” where law and order would remain with the Union Government even after Statehood is restored.
“There is no such model in this country. And why are people speculating? The people who are planting this are the same people who were planting that elections will not happen. Or elections should not happen.
“Yet these very same people are silent about the failures of Pahalgam or the spread of militancy.”
Omar voiced concern over the “undue delay” in filling Rajya Sabha seats and conducting bye-elections to two assembly seats in the Union territory.
Omar called on the Election Commission (EC) to clarify the reasons for the delay, stating, “We don’t understand… I don’t understand why these elections are being put on the back burner.”
Meanwhile, Omar sought the Centre’s intervention in seeking release of a resident of Ramban district, who was allegedly abducted by terrorists in the West African country of Niger a few days ago.
Abdullah’s request to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar comes a day after Rankeet Singh’s wife made a fervent appeal for his release.
“Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon’ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and @MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet’s safe and swift return,” Abdullah’s office posted on X.(PTI)
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