Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaks in the House during the one-day special Assembly session convened to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack| Photo Credit:ANI
Amidst an emotional debate in the Assembly, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday candidly said that he would not resort to petty politics by using the Pahalgam terror attack to demand statehood from the Centre.
“Is my politics so cheap that I would use the Pahalgam incident to ask the Centre to restore statehood?” Omar said.
The Chief Minister was speaking during a special Assembly session convened in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The Assembly also adopted a resolution calling the attack as an assault on the ethos ofKashmiriyat.
Omar said that the security of J&K was not the responsibility of the elected government, but he would not use this opportunity to demand the return of statehood.
“With what face I will use the Pahalgam incident to ask the Centre to return statehood” Omar said.
He said that today he would not speak about the statehood or business rules but only deplore the Pahalgam terror attack.
A visibly emotional Chief Minister stopped the treasury bench members from thumping their desks during his speech, saying it is not the occasion.
No words to apologize
Omar said that he had no words to offer in apology to the victims’ families, knowing that the security is not under his control.
“But as Chief Minister, I had invited them. As their host, it was my duty to ensure their safe return—and I have no words to express my regret,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that spontaneous reaction of people against the terror attack marked the beginning of the end of terrorism.
“Over the last 26 years,I have seen for the first time when people from Kathua to Kupwara came out of their homes and protested against the attack, saying ‘not in my name,” he said.
Omar said it was the first time that people observed a two-minute silence in Jamia Masjid, and “only we could understand what that signifies.”
Resolution
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved a resolution in the House, describing the attack as barbaric and inhumane.
“This House unequivocally condemns the heinous, cowardly act that resulted in the loss of innocent lives.such acts of terror are a direct assault on the ethos ofKashmiriyat,the values enshrined in our Constitution, and the spirit of unity, peace, and harmony that have long characterized Jammu & Kashmir and our Nation”, said the resolution.
The resolution expressed solidarity with the families of victims and endorsed the diplomatic measures announced by the Union government.
“This House salutes the supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who, while bravely attempting to save tourists, laid down his life. His courage and selflessness embody the true spirit of Kashmir and shall serve as an enduring inspiration for future generations”, reads the resolution.
The resolution said that the House is mindful of the sinister behind the selective targeting of the victims of this attack.
Senior Abdullah bats for action against Pakistan
National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullahon Monday batted for a decisive action against Pakistan, while denouncing the option of dialogue.
“I always favoured dialogue with Pakistan, but I will tell the victims’ families—that we will talk to Pakistan? Is this justice?” Abdullah told reporters.
Abdullah said that people of J&K had rejected the two-nation theory in 1947.
“We don’t believe in two-nation theory today. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians are all one,” he said.
Abdullah said that Pakistan did not realise that they had committed a crime against humanity.
Published on April 28, 2025
