Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that there is no need to raise the demand for the restoration of Article 370 because the provision still exists in the Constitution of India.
He said that the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir remains the top priority of the National Conference and his government.
Winding up the discussion on the Vote of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor's address in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister asserted that the National Conference is fully committed to fulfilling all promises made to the people, with the restoration of special status firmly at the top of its agenda.
In an obvious reference to criticism from opposition members over the absence of an explicit mention of Article 370 in the address, Abdullah said there was no need to specifically refer to the provision as it continues to exist in the Constitution of India, albeit in a "hollowed-out" form.
"Article 370 has not been removed from the Constitution. Had it been removed, I would have said it must be reinserted. It still exists. What has been done is that its substance has been taken away and our constitutional status has been snatched," the Chief Minister said.
He reiterated that both the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the government remain steadfast in their commitment to restoring the region's special status, as promised during the elections.
Abdullah also referred to the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in November 2024, stating that the House had already clearly articulated its position on the restoration of special status. "There is nothing more that needs to be said. Most of its substance was removed, but the part embedded in law still remains," he added.
J&K Assembly passed resolution to restore special status
It is important to mention here that on November 4, 2024, during its first Assembly session, the Omar Abdullah-led government passed a resolution demanding the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of explicitly demanding the restoration of Article 370, the resolution sought the restoration of constitutional guarantees and called for working out a constitutional mechanism to bring back these provisions.
The resolution reaffirmed the importance of special status and constitutional safeguards, stating that these provisions had protected the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It also expressed concern over their unilateral removal.
Further, the Assembly urged the Government of India to initiate dialogue with the elected representatives of Jammu and Kashmir for the restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees, while emphasising that any such process must safeguard national unity alongside the legitimate aspirations of the people of the region.
The resolution was put to a voice vote by the Speaker on November 4, 2024, and was passed amid uproar and ruckus created by BJP legislators.
Demand for restoration of statehood
On the issue of statehood, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reminded the House that the biggest promise made to the people by the opposition was the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He questioned why it has not yet been delivered despite repeated assurances during the Parliamentary and Assembly elections.
He strongly condemned remarks suggesting the separation of Jammu from Kashmir and statements reflecting mistrust. Calling such rhetoric deeply unfortunate, he said the people of Kashmir are not against peace or the nation and have repeatedly demonstrated courage and solidarity, including during incidents such as in Pahalgam, where locals came forward and even sacrificed their lives to save tourists.
The Chief Minister cautioned against divisive politics and urged members to reflect on its consequences, pointing to the situation in Ladakh. He also questioned the logic of linking statehood to the complete cessation of violence, asking who bears responsibility for recent incidents of militancy, bomb blasts, and attacks on tourists.
