Addressing a large public gathering in Jammu, Abdullah said the National Conference had exercised patience for nearly two years after the Assembly elections, hoping that the Union Government would honour its repeated assurances regarding the restoration of statehood.
“We have given the Central Government enough time. For almost two years, we pursued dialogue and waited for the restoration of statehood. Now we have decided to adopt a new strategy,” Abdullah declared.
Questioning the Centre’s repeated assertion that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time,” the Chief Minister asked what that phrase actually meant and whether it implied that Jammu and Kashmir would receive statehood only after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed a government in the Union Territory.
Referring to criticism from BJP leaders over the National Conference’s decision to stage a protest in the national capital, Abdullah defended the move by asking, “If not in Delhi, then where?”
“If decisions concerning a part of our own country cannot be taken in our own national capital, where else should we go?” he asked.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, Abdullah questioned whether his party was expected to protest outside the White House in the United States instead of raising its constitutional demand in India’s capital.
“We are only asking for a promise made in our own country to be fulfilled in our own country’s capital,” he said.
The National Conference leader accused the BJP of treating the restoration of statehood as a political tool rather than fulfilling what he described as a constitutional commitment made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public assurance regarding statehood, Abdullah said the commitment made during the Prime Minister’s visit to Katra should now be honoured.
“If it is Modi Ji’s promise made on the soil of Katra, then that promise should be fulfilled,” he said.
Abdullah also referred to the Supreme Court’s observations that statehood should be restored “as soon as possible” following the completion of the electoral process.
“These are not my words—they are the words of the Supreme Court,” he stated.
Alleging that the Centre was unfairly withholding statehood, Abdullah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were being punished despite their unwavering contribution to the nation.
“The people of Jammu have always stood with the country during difficult times. Border residents endured shelling, and the region welcomed thousands displaced by militancy. What crime have the people committed that they continue to be denied statehood?” he asked.
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s remarks describing Jammu and Kashmir as a symbol of communal harmony after Partition, Abdullah questioned whether the region was now being penalised for preserving the ideals of unity among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to peaceful and democratic means, Abdullah said the National Conference would continue its campaign until Jammu and Kashmir regains full statehood.
“We will continue knocking on the doors of our own nation’s capital. We will continue reminding the country’s leadership of the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We only seek the fulfilment of those promises,” he said.
The Chief Minister, who travelled by road from Srinagar to Jammu, said he had left early in the morning to seek the people’s support before launching the protest movement.
“We were forced to come onto the streets after dialogue failed. The July 20 protest will mark the beginning of our agitation for the restoration of statehood,” Abdullah said as supporters raised their hands in endorsement of the campaign.
