Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took a strong stance in the assembly on Thursday, criticizing the BJP-led central government over its handling of the region. He particularly questioned the government’s commitment to reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a subject that has been a long-standing point of contention in India’s foreign policy.
Referring to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent remarks, Abdullah challenged the ruling party, asking, “Who is stopping you from bringing back PoK?” His comments were in response to Jaishankar’s assertion that the final step in resolving the Kashmir issue would be the return of the “stolen part” under Pakistan’s control. The National Conference leader pointed out that while the government speaks about PoK, it remains silent on the portion of Jammu and Kashmir that is under China’s occupation.
Omar Abdullah also revisited history, emphasizing that Maharaja Hari Singh had envisioned Jammu and Kashmir as a unified state. He lamented that instead of preserving this vision, the region was split into two union territories in August 2019. According to him, while some initially supported this move, discontent has since grown, particularly in Ladakh, where many now believe they were better off before the bifurcation.
The former chief minister also noted that his government had never attempted to erase historical identities in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that landmarks named after past rulers, such as Pratap Singh Park and hospitals bearing the names of Maharaja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Hari Singh, have remained unchanged.
Jaishankar, speaking at an event in London, defended the government’s approach to Kashmir, highlighting the abrogation of Article 370, economic development, and the successful conduct of elections as key achievements. He insisted that India has made significant progress in resolving the Kashmir issue and that the final step would be reclaiming PoK.
India has long maintained that both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country. Pakistan currently occupies around 78,000 square kilometers of Indian territory, while China controls approximately 38,000 square kilometers in Ladakh. Pakistan also ceded 5,180 square kilometers of land in the Shaksgam Valley to China, further complicating the situation.
Omar Abdullah’s remarks come at a time of heightened political discourse in the region, especially after his party, the National Conference, emerged victorious in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections last year. His statements reflect growing concerns about the future of the region and the expectations from the central government to fulfill its promises.
