Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to launch the “Har Ghar Signature Campaign” to press for the demand for the early restoration of statehood to J&K and present it before the Supreme Court.
Omar said the recent comments made by the Supreme Court about the Pahalgam attack during the statehood hearing were unfortunate, as the people of Jammu and Kashmir were being punished for a crime in which they had no role.
It's important to mention that investigations by security agencies have already revealed that the attack was a foreign plot, carried out entirely by foreign terrorists.
The Supreme Court’s comments have not only agitated the petitioners but also political circles in Jammu and Kashmir, where frustration is growing over what many look like a deliberate delay in restoring the rights of the people.
The Solicitor General, representing the Union government, requested eight weeks to reflect and seek a response from the Central government on the matter, to which the Supreme Court agreed.
Also Read: CM Omar's 'signature campaign' for statehood gets Farooq's push
In his Independence Day speech, Abdullah said the CM said the Supreme Court has given the government eight weeks to respond.
“From today, we will use these eight weeks to go door to door in all 90 assembly segments for a signature campaign on the restoration of statehood. If people are not ready to sign the document, I will accept defeat,” he added.
“We will have to take these voices from our offices to the doors where these decisions are taken,” he said, adding that the collected signatures documents would be submitted to the apex court.
Criticising the Supreme Court’s remarks, Omar said, “There were unfortunate comments in the Supreme Court that the Pahalgam attack should be considered when statehood is decided. Will the killers of Pahalgam and their masters in the neighbouring country decide whether we will be a state? Every time we are close to statehood, they will do something to sabotage it. Is this fair? Why are we being punished for the crime we have no role in?”
Follow us
