Farooq Abdullah Backs Omar Abdullah’s Signature Campaign for J&K Statehood Restoration

With increasing activity at the state level in support of the cause, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has launched a signature campaign for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah stated that the campaign will be conducted vigorously across the Union Territory and even outside it.

Congress and NC Push for Statehood

The NC’s alliance partner in government, the Congress, had already intensified its campaign for statehood soon after forming the government.

While NC has also been making consistent efforts, the lack of coordination between the two partners prompted Omar Abdullah to announce the new campaign.

Farooq Abdullah, speaking to reporters after the Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, emphasized, “The campaign will be run and it will be a vigorous campaign.”

This followed the Supreme Court’s observation that the Pahalgam terror attack must be taken into account while deciding on restoring statehood.

Supreme Court Observations

The bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai noted that the “ground situation” needed to be assessed, adding that “incidents like Pahalgam” cannot be ignored.

In response, Omar Abdullah declared that he would initiate a massive signature campaign to press the demand during the eight weeks given to the Centre by the Court to file its reply.

“From today, we will use these eight weeks to go door to door in all 90 assembly segments for a signature campaign on the restoration of statehood. If people are not ready to sign the document, I will accept defeat,” he said in his Independence Day address.

Farooq Abdullah called the speech a stern message, highlighting its significance.

Farooq Abdullah’s Reflections

Farooq Abdullah admitted to mixed emotions while attending the Independence Day function after years.

“There were tears and there was happiness as well. Tears because I have also been a CM here, we had Article 370, Article 35A and we were a state,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the Kishtwar cloudburst, noting that over 500 people were still feared trapped under debris, with the number possibly closer to 1,000.

Omar Abdullah’s Sharp Remarks

Delivering his first Independence Day speech after returning as CM, Omar Abdullah launched one of his strongest critiques of the current governance system.

He argued that the dual governance structure was “not for success” but “for failure,” revealing that decisions of his Cabinet were being stalled by the Raj Bhavan.

“I did not know that attempts would be made to change the decisions of the Cabinet without approval. I did not know that decisions would be locked up somewhere and forgotten,” he said. He compared the situation to “a horse whose front legs are tied and who is told to run.”

On the Pahalgam Attack and Trust in Elected Governments

Responding to the Supreme Court’s remarks on the Pahalgam attack, Omar Abdullah said, “I regret what we heard in the Supreme Court… Today we are told that the elected government cannot be trusted to handle the situation here. When did we show that we are not worthy of this trust? Just trust us once.”

He emphasized that militancy had declined under elected governments, insisting that J&K had not failed in managing the situation earlier.

Hopes and Disappointments

Abdullah recalled reassurances from the Centre that statehood would be restored.

“Some friends and relatives tell me again and again that something will change this year. Though in reality there was not much hope, when a person listens again and again, something gets stuck in the heart. With great impatience, we waited for that speech… but it did not happen.”

He admitted that his earlier optimism had faded. “The truth is the ray of light has diminished slightly… perhaps that hope is not there today.”

Campaign to Reach Every Home

Speaking about Operation Sindoor launched against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, he remarked that while Pakistan was punished briefly, the people of J&K continued to suffer.

Abdullah urged his colleagues to leave offices and homes and take the campaign to villages and houses across J&K. “Till now, through letters, resolutions and meetings we have raised our voice. Now we are going to raise our voice from every village of J&K before Delhi.”

He vowed to use the eight weeks before the next court hearing to gather signatures in all 90 assembly constituencies. “We will ask them if they want J&K to be a state again or not. If they are not ready, then I will accept my defeat.”

Farooq Abdullah’s Support

After the event, Farooq Abdullah reiterated his full support for the campaign, praising Omar’s firm stance. Reflecting on the NC’s return to governance after 2019, he said, “There were tears and there was happiness as well.”