Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar: DD, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday highlighted the frustration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the unfulfilled promise of statehood, contrasting it with the situation in Ladakh, which accepted its Union Territory status in 2019 without any expectation of statehood.
In a post on X, CM Omar, said, “Ladakh had not been promised statehood and they celebrated their UT status. Now imagine the sense of betrayal and disappointment in J&K, where people have been demanding statehood democratically, peacefully and responsibly, yet it remains unfulfilled.”
He underscored that the ongoing agitation in Leh, which prompted authorities to impose curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, reflects anger stemming from long-pending demands, while stressing that J&K’s demand for statehood is rooted in constitutional rights and democratic principles.
CM Omar wrote, “Ladakh wasn’t even promised Statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 & they feel betrayed & angry. Now try to imagine how betrayed & disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled even though we have gone about demanding it democratically, peacefully & responsibly.” (KNC)