Says Statehood Will Be Celebrated When Restored; Next Three Months Key for Combating Terrorism
Srinagar, Oct 31 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha marked Union Territory (UT) foundation Day by criticizing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other ministers for their absence from the celebrations.
Sinha said the importance of the oaths taken by elected officials, stating that those who swore to uphold the Constitution while Jammu and Kashmir is a UT did not participate in the event.
He referenced the Home Minister’s statement in Parliament, outlining that delimitation would occur first, followed by elections and statehood.
Sinha stated, “The Home Minister mentioned in Parliament that delimitation would occur first, followed by elections, and then statehood at an appropriate time. Those who took an oath on the Constitution while Jammu and Kashmir is a UT chose to stay away today. This reflects a duplicity of character. The reality is that we are currently a UT, and when Jammu and Kashmir is restored as a state, we will celebrate that as well.”
“The next three months will be crucial for security forces to combat militancy in Jammu and Kashmir,” LG Sinha stated, urging citizens to support counterinsurgency efforts to maintain peace in the region.
Sinha also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring statehood, stating, “Statehood for J&K, as promised by Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah, will be granted at an appropriate time.” He further criticized those who chose to abstain from attending the UT Foundation Day celebrations, suggesting that their absence undermines the unity and purpose of the event.
Earlier, the National Conference (NC) and Congress legislators announced a boycott of the UT Foundation Day event at SKICC in Srinagar.
The National Conference, a major regional party, has opposed the status of Jammu and Kashmir as a UT, advocating for the restoration of statehood.
MLA Tanvir Sadiq stated that the party does not recognize the UT Foundation Day.
Omar Abdullah’s cabinet recently passed a resolution demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the party’s long-standing stance on the issue. In a similar vein, a Congress legislator labeled the event a “black day” in Jammu and Kashmir’s history, questioning the legitimacy of celebrating the region’s status downgrade when citizens seek the restoration of statehood.—(NVI)
