SRINAGAR, Aug 15: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the situation across the Line of Control (LoC) today vindicated the decision taken by the region’s leaders 80 years ago.
Addressing the main Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium here, Omar said the developments across the border made him realise that the decision taken by Jammu and Kashmir’s leaders in 1947 was the right one.
“When I look across the border and across the LoC today, I realise that 80 years ago, the decision our leaders took for us was the right decision,” he said.
Omar recalled the role played by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in resisting tribal raiders and infiltrators from across the border even before the arrival of the Indian Army in 1947.
He said people across the region fought the attackers with whatever means were available to them, recalling the slogan “Hamlawar Tayyar, Hum Kashmiri Hain Khabardaar” that echoed across villages, streets and homes.
The Chief Minister described the present situation in the part of Jammu and Kashmir across the LoC as “sad” and “regretful”, asserting that the people living there were part of the larger J&K community.
“That part of Jammu and Kashmir is ours. We consider those people as our own, not strangers, not outsiders,” he said.
Omar also said that had the situation in Jammu and Kashmir not changed in 2019, people across the LoC might have been demanding reunification.
He noted that seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly continue to remain vacant for representatives from areas across the LoC, expressing hope that they would one day occupy those seats.
On federalism, Omar said it must be strengthened by restoring to Jammu and Kashmir what he described as its rights that had been taken away.
“When we talk about federalism, it should be strengthened from Jammu and Kashmir by returning to us what was taken away, so that federalism does not remain confined to words but is implemented in practice,” he said.
Referring to protests at Jantar Mantar, he said they demonstrated the consequences of weakening the federal structure. Omar cited education and health as subjects falling under the states and criticised the centralised examination system through NEET and JEE, alleging that it had reduced the states’ role in admitting students to colleges.
The Chief Minister said Independence Day was not merely an occasion for celebration but also a day for remembrance and introspection.
“Today is a day of joy, a day of remembrance, a day of reflection,” he said.
Addressing concerns over recruitment and admission processes in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said allegations of irregularities had eroded public confidence and pushed young people to protest.
“The reality is, that to lose trust on something, or on a system, is a game of minutes. To regain trust, takes years and years,” he said.
He called for recruitment and admission processes to be transparent, fair and strictly merit-based, stressing that the government must maintain a continuous dialogue with the people and respond to their expectations and circumstances.
Omar also highlighted the importance of the opposition and media in a democracy, saying the government must work, the opposition must hold it accountable and the media must hold both sides accountable.
He assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that his government would continue to represent and serve them and work towards fulfilling their aspirations.
Reiterating his commitment to the restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees and development, Omar said his government would continue working to honour the sacrifices made for Jammu and Kashmir and fulfil the aspirations of its people.
The Chief Minister congratulated the people on Independence Day and expressed hope that the next 80 years of the country would be more prosperous, advanced, peaceful and fraternal than the past eight decades.
