JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fulfilling all promises made in its manifesto over the next five years while addressing the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Responding to the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, Abdullah said his party had crafted the manifesto with deep thought and presented it to the people as a social contract.
“We sought a five-year mandate, and during this time, we will deliver on every commitment we made. The government is not confined to just one speech or address; it is a continuous process spanning five years,” he stated.
The Chief Minister took on critics who questioned omissions in the Lieutenant Governor’s speech, clarifying that the address built upon previous ones rather than replacing them. “It is not necessary to repeat what was said four months ago. This address adds to that and will continue evolving in the coming years,” he explained.
Addressing the contentious Public Safety Act (PSA), Abdullah stressed that preventive detention should not be used as a substitute for prosecution. “If PSA is your only weapon, then your case is weak. If you keep people in jail for years without prosecuting them, it means you do not have a case,” he said, recalling his own detention following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
On Article 370, the Chief Minister challenged the opposition’s claims about its abrogation enabling development. “Tell me, which of these projects were not possible before 2019? What changed after the removal of Article 370 that could not have been done earlier?” he questioned.
Abdullah also defended the historical legacy of Jammu and Kashmir’s leaders and institutions, questioning the selective erasure of past figures and events. “You speak of the Maharaja’s legacy, but the biggest thing he left us—our state—is gone. What have you done to restore it?” he asked. He highlighted the importance of state subject laws, arguing that their removal had left J&K’s land and jobs vulnerable to outside interests.
Addressing derogatory remarks against the 1931 Martyrs, Abdullah said their sacrifices could not be erased. “They laid down their lives for the right to be heard, for justice. If their cause was unjust, why did the Maharaja himself take corrective steps afterwards?” he asked. He criticised the opposition for failing to acknowledge their contributions, adding, “Their only fault was that they were Muslims. Accept this fact.”
On Ladakh’s separation from Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah questioned the government’s claim that it was done at the people’s request. “Did you ever ask them? From the very first day, they opposed it,” he said. He also raised concerns about the silence on Chinese control over parts of the region while the government spoke of reclaiming Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Concluding his speech, Abdullah reaffirmed his party’s commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and challenged legislators to pass a resolution on the matter. “There is no doubt that everyone here wants statehood back. Bring the resolution, and we will pass it,” he declared.
