SAHIL BHAT
AUG 15: A day after the Supreme Court sought response from the Central Government on Statehood plea within 2 months, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced to launch the high-voltage signature campaign across Jammu and Kashmir.
In his Independence Day speech at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, CM Omar Abdullah spoke in rage and wrath, about the observations made by the Apex Court vis-a-vis Pahalgam carnage and stated that it is quite unfortunate that people of the region are punished for the crime that they have no role in.
Since the Top Court has given the Central Government eight weeks to respond, we will kick-start a door-to-door campaign in all 90 Assembly Constituencies.
“We will begin a door-to-door signature campaign in all 90 Assembly Segments for the restoration of Statehood from today. If people will not show interest in signing the document, I will accept defeat,” CM Omar said.
He added that the signature campaign documents for Statehood reinstatement will be submitted to the Supreme Court.
CM Omar expressed resentment on the Top Court’s comments on Pahalgam incident, adding, “Everytime, when we are close to Statehood restoration, they sabotage the whole concern. Is that fair? What are we punished for the crime that we have not done?”
From Kathua to Kupwara, people vociferously staged protest, expressed solidarity and showed resentment to the dastardly Pahalgam bloodshed said CM and added unfortunately we are punished for Pahalgam attack.
Pertinent to mention that Pahalgam attack claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22 following which Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev were launched to avenge the Pahalgam incident.
Omar Abdullah on Friday became the first elected Chief Minister in eight years to hoist the Tricolour.
On August 14, the petitioners, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, represented by senior advocates Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Menaka Guruswamy, repeatedly stressed upon the assurance given by the Centre to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in SC.
Following the Nullification of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
