Will CM Omar Abdullah Restore Statehood at the I-Day Parade in Srinagar?

Srinagar, Aug 15 (NationPress) The 79th Independence Day celebrations, which featured the raising of the National Flag and a ceremonial parade, came to a successful and peaceful conclusion in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The principal event took place at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hoisted the Tricolour and reviewed the ceremonial parade.

Before the main function, the chief minister visited the ‘Balidan Stambh’ at Partap Park on Residency Road, paying homage to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

During his heartfelt address at Bakshi Stadium, the chief minister advocated vigorously for the restoration of statehood. He announced that within the eight-week timeframe set by the Supreme Court for the Government of India's response regarding the statehood plea, he, alongside all ministers and MLAs of the ruling National Conference, would launch a signature campaign across all 90 Assembly constituencies to rally support for statehood.

CM Omar Abdullah stated, “Until now, we have relied on letters, meetings, and communications, but now we will engage directly with the people.”

“We will traverse all 90 Assembly constituencies, reaching out to every household to gather signatures and thumb impressions from those unable to sign, advocating for statehood, and presenting this signed document to the Supreme Court judges and the Government of India,” he emphasized.

Commenting on the Supreme Court's recent discussions regarding statehood restoration, CM Abdullah observed, “The decision on whether J&K receives statehood should be made by India's democracy, not by the perpetrators in Pahalgam or their commanders across the border.” He reflected on his six years addressing Independence Day as J&K's chief minister, noting that no one understands the distinction between a state and a union territory better than he does.

He remarked, “Elected representatives are the brain of a government, while the bureaucracy forms its body; without a strong connection between the two, the system falters.”

“I have not abandoned our struggle for statehood, which is our rightful claim and has been pledged to us. However, I recognize the challenges my colleagues and I face under the dual governance system. If we hope to usher in a truly Naya Kashmir, the transformation must be evident on the ground. Regrettably, that difference is nowhere to be seen at this moment.”

“We are committed to realizing the vision of India championed by Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose, who sacrificed their lives for our country. I have always asserted the importance of the local government collaborating with the Centre rather than engaging in confrontation,” he stated.

“The glimmer of hope that Gandhi envisioned for Kashmir seems to have faded today,” the CM concluded.

A parallel event was conducted at MAM Stadium in Jammu and at various district headquarters throughout the UT. The functions and parades, which included participation from police, schoolchildren, and home guard contingents, proceeded without any incidents, maintaining an atmosphere of peace and order.