Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on 28 November 2025 urged the Centre to restore full statehood immediately and hand over security responsibilities to his elected government, asserting that attacks like the Pahalgam and Delhi blasts did not happen during his prior six-year tenure as chief minister.
He challenged claims blaming statehood denial for the violence, offered to have statehood revoked if his administration fails, and demanded adherence to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act for proper separation of powers.
No official response from central authorities has emerged yet, amid ongoing militancy concerns and Abdullah’s repeated outreach to leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Abdullah’s Bold Challenge on Security
Omar Abdullah, speaking to reporters after a National Conference working committee meeting in Srinagar, directly linked the current security crisis to the Union Territory model that sidelines elected governance.
“They link the Pahalgam and Delhi blast attacks with statehood denial to J&K. But how is the elected government responsible for it?” he questioned, pointing out that militancy has spread from two-and-a-half districts in the Valley to nearly every district and parts of Jammu under central oversight.
The Pahalgam attack killed 26 tourists, underscoring the human cost, while Abdullah recalled his 2009-2015 tenure as free of such large-scale incidents, arguing only local leaders with full powers can restore order effectively.
He further criticised Raj Bhavan for bulldozer demolitions bypassing his government’s approval, calling it a deliberate undermining of democratic authority and declaring, “We are running a government without power.”
Abdullah has passed resolutions in his first cabinet meeting post-October 2024 elections and personally delivered them to Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, yet awaits action.
This demand aligns with Supreme Court directives on the three-stage process-delimitation, elections, and statehood-where the first two are complete.
Historical Context of Statehood Loss
Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood ended in August 2019 via the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which bifurcated it into two Union Territories-Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh-revoking Article 370 and centralising control over security, police, and key institutions.
This shift reduced elected bodies’ authority, leaving the Lieutenant Governor with overriding powers, a structure Abdullah deems unworkable for a region as large as Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra.
Since his National Conference-Congress coalition assumed power in late 2024, Abdullah has reiterated statehood as a constitutional right, rejecting hybrid models where the Centre retains law and order.
Recent violence, including the Pahalgam tourist massacre and Delhi blasts, has intensified the debate, with Abdullah blaming the UT framework for failing to contain militancy’s resurgence.
He vows legal recourse, including Supreme Court petitions, if promises made in Parliament and court remain unfulfilled, framing it as a fight for democratic empowerment rather than confrontation.
The National Conference positions this as safeguarding J&K’s special legacy while committing to development within any framework until restoration.
Broader Political and Security Implications
Abdullah’s persistence reflects deepening frustration in J&K politics, where the elected government handles development but lacks tools for security, leading to accusations of institutional capture by the LG administration.
Militancy’s spread highlights systemic issues: from targeted killings to mass attacks, contrasting with relative calm under prior statehood. Central leaders have acknowledged statehood in meetings, but delays persist, prompting Abdullah to affirm, “Promises were made to the whole country, not just J&K.”
This impasse risks eroding public trust, especially post-elections hailed as a democratic milestone.
His outreach underscores pragmatic engagement despite critiques of past alliances like PDP-BJP, positioning the NC as the voice for full autonomy. Critics argue security transfer poses national risks, yet Abdullah counters with accountability: “Give us responsibility; revoke if we fail.”
Ongoing demolitions and power tussles exemplify daily governance strains, humanising the abstract debate through affected communities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood offers a pathway to genuine peace through empowered local governance, accountability, and trust-building between the Centre and elected leaders.
Omar Abdullah’s forthright challenge embodies democratic aspirations, urging separation of powers as enshrined in law while prioritising security for vulnerable citizens.
The Logical Indian champions dialogue rooted in empathy, harmony, and coexistence, rejecting division in favour of collaborative solutions that honour constitutional commitments and foster coexistence.
