Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday questioned the central government, holding it responsible for the “increase” in terror attacks in the Jammu region. His remarks came ahead of the first phase of the three-phase assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, set to begin on September 18.
Speaking to reporters in Budgam, Abdullah challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue of security in Jammu. “Amit Shah sahab, please tell me, who is responsible for the rise in terrorism in Jammu?” Abdullah asked, citing recent attacks on pilgrims and soldiers in the region. He pointed out that the National Conference (NC) and Congress have been out of power for a decade, while the region has been under direct central rule for six years.
“If forces are attacked, if our brave soldiers are killed, who is responsible?” Abdullah questioned, linking the security lapses to the current BJP-led central government’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah also expressed confidence that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir before its abrogation in 2019, could be reinstated. He pointed to past Supreme Court rulings in favor of Article 370 and speculated that a future verdict from a larger bench could reverse the current decision. “Nothing is impossible,” Abdullah said, maintaining his optimism about the potential return of the provision.
The former chief minister’s comments come in response to Amit Shah’s recent statement, in which the Home Minister ruled out the possibility of reinstating Article 370. Speaking at a rally in Kishtwar on September 16, Shah declared, “Article 370 is now a part of history. There will only be one flag, and that is our Tricolour.”
As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for assembly elections, voters will head to the polls in three phases: on September 18, September 25, and November 1, with results set to be announced on October 8.