Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address in the assembly, Omar said Article 370 was not specifically mentioned by him as the provision still exists in the Constitution despite being “hollowed out”.
File Photo: IANS
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that Article 370 has not been removed from the Constitution of India and his government remains committed to restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir that was abrogated in August 2019.
Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address in the assembly, Omar said Article 370 was not specifically mentioned by him as the provision still exists in the Constitution despite being “hollowed out”.
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“I want to reiterate that the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and this government remain committed to the promises made during the elections, particularly the promise to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir”.
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“Had the Article been removed from the statute book, I would have said it must be reinserted. It still exists. You hollowed it out and snatched away our constitutional status,” he said, pointing towards the BJP members.
Some opposition MLAs had criticised the Omar-led government on the issue that Article 370 was not explicitly mentioned in the address.
Referring to a resolution seeking restoration of the special status of J&K passed in the assembly in the first session after the formation of the National Conference government, Omar said Article 370 continues to remain on the statute books and the House has already expressed its view that it should be restored.
“There is nothing more that needs to be said. Most of its substance was removed, but that part embedded in law still remains,” he added.
Omar said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the BJP claimed that the action would end the cycle of terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. ”But little has changed, and terrorism is continuing and from where did the terrorists, who were killed yesterday, reach Udhampur.
Who was accountable for last year’s terror attack in Pahalgam, where tourists were killed at point-blank range? Such incidents never happened during the National Conference rule.”
Hitting out at the BJP, Omar said that, ”You question me on the issue of not implementing the poll promises, but has your party fulfilled its manifesto promise of restoring statehood of J&K? What is the fault of the people of J&K that you are keeping them waiting for restoration of statehood.”
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