Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly criticised opposition members on Tuesday for staging a walkout over the use of the term "Union Territory" in the assembly.
He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir will continue to be designated as a Union Territory until the Parliament formally restores its statehood.
The controversy arose during the passage of a bill amending the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017, in the assembly. People's Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone walked out in protest, arguing that approving the bill implicitly acknowledged and endorsed the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to the protest, Omar Abdullah firmly stated that merely mentioning "Union Territory" in legislative proceedings does not alter the ground reality.
He emphasised that the restoration of statehood is a matter under the purview of the Parliament and insisted that politicising the issue within the assembly would not serve any constructive purpose.
He further urged opposition members to focus on meaningful action rather than symbolic gestures, asserting that walking out would not contribute to achieving statehood. Abdullah also cautioned against being swayed by misleading narratives circulating on social media, referring to them as "WhatsApp university posts."
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Highlighting his government’s commitment to the restoration of statehood, Abdullah assured that the matter remains a priority. He reiterated that removing the term "Union Territory" from official discourse does not change the legal and administrative status of Jammu and Kashmir.
He reminded the assembly that all governmental functions, including legislative proceedings, have been conducted under the designation of a Union Territory since its reorganisation.
Apart from Sajad Gani Lone, Waheed Para, the Pulwama MLA and a youth leader from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), also expressed reservations regarding the language used in legislative matters that appeared to affirm Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a Union Territory.
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Addressing these concerns, Abdullah pointed out that every official business conducted in the assembly so far had used the term "Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir." He cited previous instances, including discussions on the finance bill and consolidated funds, where the term had been repeatedly used without protest.
He questioned the rationale behind selective objections and pointed out that all members, including those who staged the walkout, had taken their oaths and contested elections under the framework of the Union Territory.
Abdullah reiterated that his administration has been actively pushing for the restoration of statehood. He highlighted that the first cabinet meeting of his government passed a resolution in favor of statehood, which was subsequently submitted to the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister recalled personally raising the issue with the Prime Minister during an event in Sonamarg and affirmed that every time he visits Delhi, he advocates for the demand, making it clear that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not in favor of the Union Territory status and seek its reversal at the earliest opportunity.
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