BuzzBytes NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, voiced strong opinions at the ABP Networks’ Idea Of India Summit, asserting that the region has been denied an elected government since 2018. He highlighted the absence of Assembly elections in J&K since 2014, challenging the rationale behind the delay.Taking a swipe at the BJP, Abdullah remarked, “Despite doing everything the BJP had to do to win an election, you are not having assembly elections in J&K.” He urged for democratic processes to be upheld, emphasizing that if elections could take place in 1996 under challenging circumstances, they could certainly be conducted in 2024.Reflecting on the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah expressed surprise, stating, “Governor had assured us that there was no plan to scrap the Constitutional status of Jammu & Kashmir. So, it was not expected.”Discussing his personal experience under detention, Abdullah revealed, “My house was illegally locked from outside. They detained me, saying that I was a threat to peace. Six months later, they detained me under the Public Safety Act, because I opposed separatists.”Acknowledging the current calm in J&K, Abdullah challenged the narrative attributing the region’s problems solely to Article 370. He pointed out that, despite the abrogation, pockets of separatists still exist, and terror attacks continue. Abdullah expressed concern over the regular occurrence of attacks on minorities, highlighting the change in dynamics since his tenure as Chief Minister.”There was no attack on minorities when I was the CM. Today, that is a regular occurrence. Kashmiri Pandits who had resettled in Kashmir with government jobs and other packages are now screaming to be allowed to leave and move back to Jammu,” Abdullah concluded, addressing the ongoing challenges in the region.
Omar Abdullah Raises Concerns at Idea Of India Summit: J&K Denied Elected Government Since 2018
