Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said there was no change in the National Conference’s plan to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament to press for the restoration of statehood to the union Territory.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar said the party remains committed to raising its voice in Delhi over the issue, which he described as a promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir at multiple forums, including the Supreme Court and Parliament.
“First of all, there is no change in that plan. We still have a complete intention that in the beginning of the Monsoon Session, for the sake of the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, the promise that has been made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Supreme Court, Parliament and many other public functions, we will go to Delhi to remind them and put our demand at Jantar Mantar,” Omar said, when asked if there was any change in the proposed protest after his meeting with Prime Minister Modi on June 11.
During the meeting, Omar had congratulated Prime Minister Modi on completing 12 years in office and reiterated the demand for the “early return of statehood” to Jammu and Kashmir.
The ruling National Conference on June 4 announced that party ministers, MLAs and MPs would hold a protest in Delhi seeking restoration of statehood and special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
About the meeting, Omar said he discussed several issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir with the Prime Minister, including the restoration of statehood, the financial position of J&K and developmental concerns.
“I spoke to the Prime Minister on various issues. I spoke about the statehood, the financial position of Jammu and Kashmir, and how fast development can be speeded up. I hope that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from that conversation,” he said.
On the issue of delay in Reservation policy, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said the Centre had sought some clarifications on the issue.
Omar said the J&K Cabinet had completed its part of the process.
“Whatever we had to do, we did. The Cabinet Sub-Committee sat down and prepared a report. The Cabinet approved the report. The Cabinet’s decision, like other decisions, was sent to Mr LG (Lieutenant Governor). He formally referred it to Delhi,” the CM said.
He disclosed that the central government had sought certain clarifications on the report, following which the file was returned to the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
“Some clarifications were asked by the central government. That file was sent back to us. The department has prepared answers to all those clarifications. It’s been two or three days since it was prepared,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the response prepared by the department would now be placed before the Cabinet for approval before being sent back to the Centre.
“Now a Cabinet meeting will be called because this was the Cabinet’s decision. The Cabinet will approve that answer and that answer will be sent back to the central government. It is a matter of few days,” Omar said.
The reservation issue has emerged as a major flashpoint in Jammu and Kashmir, with students and several political parties demanding a balanced reservation policy.
The controversy stems from changes made by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, which increased the reserved-category quota to over 60 percent, reducing the Open Merit quota to around 30 percent.
