Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reiterated that the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is non-negotiable, asserting that the struggle to achieve it will remain democratic and peaceful.
Addressing a public gathering in Anantnag, Omar as per news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) made it clear that while he was ready to stage protests if required, he would not endorse any course of action that could plunge the Valley back into violence or turmoil. “Our people have already suffered immense pain. Repeating that cycle is out of the question. We will press ahead with our demand, but only through democratic and peaceful means,” he told the gathering.
Dismissing speculation about political compromises, Omar categorically ruled out joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in pursuit of statehood. “If restoring statehood comes at the cost of bringing BJP into power here, I would rather step aside. Let someone else take responsibility, but I will never be part of such a compromise,” he said.
The NC leader recalled that after the last assembly elections, he too had the option of aligning with the BJP but refused. “I chose not to compromise then, and my stand remains the same today. Others took that path in 2015, but we stayed away,” he added in a pointed reference to the PDP-BJP coalition.(KINS)
