We Are a Union Territory, Let Us Not Politicize This; J&K CM Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah Defends ‘Union Territory’ Tag Amid J&K Assembly Clash
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rebuked opposition members for staging a walkout over the term “Union Territory” during a heated Assembly session on Tuesday, asserting that the region’s status won’t change until Parliament restores statehood.
The flare-up came as the Assembly passed a bill amending the J&K Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, prompting People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone to exit, claiming the legislation endorsed J&K’s diminished status.
“We are a Union Territory until Parliament decides otherwise—walking out doesn’t alter that,” Abdullah shot back, dismissing the protest as political posturing. “We’ve all taken oaths and contested elections under this reality.”
He pointed to his government’s relentless push for statehood, citing a cabinet resolution, talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and repeated appeals in Delhi. “Inshallah, we’ll restore it, but erasing ‘UT’ from a bill won’t make it happen,” he added.
Lone’s objection centered on the bill’s language, arguing it legitimized J&K’s Union Territory status—a sore point since the 2019 revocation of Article 370. PDP’s Wahid Para echoed similar concerns, but Abdullah countered that all Assembly business, including finance bills, has used the UT label without prior dissent. “Why no walkout then?” he challenged.
The National Conference-led government, in its first budget session since taking power, remains steadfast. Abdullah, also the finance minister, emphasized pragmatism over symbolism, urging unity in the statehood fight rather than “WhatsApp university” theatrics.
As J&K navigates its post-370 identity, the CM’s stance underscores a delicate balance between governance and aspiration amid a restive opposition.
