REGIONAL

Everything meaningless if our identity, rights not restored: Omar Abdullah

By News Desk

October 30, 2024

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted that nothing holds significance if the identity of the people of Jammu Kashmir is not honored.

Speaking at a civil society event at SKICC Srinagar, he emphasized that his government would strive to restore the identity that Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed prior to August 5, 2019.

Reflecting on the changes in the region, Abdullah noted that the rights of the people have been increasingly denied over the past few years. “Are the people of Jammu Kashmir destined for harassment? Don’t they have the right to live a dignified life on their own land?” he questioned.

He acknowledged that while essential services like power, roads, water, and employment would be addressed, the core issue remains the respect for the identity of the people of J&K. “If our identity is not respected, everything is meaningless,” he stated.

Abdullah reaffirmed the right of the people to their land and resources, insisting that recognition of their identity is crucial for their honor within the country. He expressed a commitment to fostering better relations with the public, proposing that the government hold at least two meetings each year with various community sectors to strengthen this bond.

He criticized the absence of a democratic framework in Jammu Kashmir over the past six years, asserting that democracy is essential for reinforcing the connection between the government and its citizens.

Abdullah expressed hope that the current Union Territory governance model would soon be replaced, restoring a democratic system that serves the people of Jammu Kashmir.