The Jammu Kashmir Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has passed a resolution partially denouncing the decisions of August 5, 2019, urging the Central Government to restore statehood to the region.
Passed during the Cabinet’s inaugural meeting on Thursday, the resolution calls for the reinstatement of Jammu Kashmir’s statehood, a status that was revoked in August 2019 when the region was split into two Union Territories—Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh—following the abrogation of Article 370.
The move highlights ongoing efforts to address governance and autonomy issues in the region.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah plans to deliver the resolution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, seeking prompt action on restoring statehood.
The meeting, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and other ministers, emphasized the need to prioritize statehood restoration.
Tariq Hameed Karra, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), reiterated his party’s stance that they would abstain from the Cabinet until statehood is restored, underlining the political tensions surrounding the issue.
His remarks echo the broader debate among leaders over the region’s future.
National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah expressed optimism, stating he believes the Supreme Court’s agreement to hear a petition on statehood restoration within the next two months is a positive step.
“I am confident that the Centre will restore statehood to Jammu Kashmir,” he said. However, when questioned about the omission of Article 370 in the resolution, he noted that further legal discussions were necessary, suggesting that the issue might return to the courts before any action is taken.
While the statehood resolution marks a step forward, the exclusion of Article 370 indicates that political volatility in the region is likely to persist.