Omar Abdullah criticizes statehood delay

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep frustration over the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a promise made by the Indian government after the region's special status was revoked in 2019. In an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Abdullah said he has lost 'huge political capital' by trusting the Centre's assurances and that public disappointment extends beyond the Modi government. He criticized the undefined timeline, likening it to a moving target, and rejected the argument that statehood must wait until terrorism is eradicated, noting his government has no control over the security apparatus. He called a Union territory with an Assembly an 'abomination' and highlighted administrative paralysis, with key institutions under the lieutenant governor's authority. Abdullah also stated that statehood is a legal prerequisite for restoring Article 370 of the Constitution of India, and urged the Modi government to honor its commitments, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal 'Modi Ka Wada' pledge. He said his government would continue to press the demand through dialogue, protests, and demonstrations.