‘Won’t waste single day in getting back what we lost’
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday that when he addressed the Assembly last time, J&K was a state and today it is a UT, but asserted that his government will not lose “a single day” in getting back what was “lost in the last 6 years”.
Delivering an emotional speech during the discussion on the Lt Governor’s address to the Assembly, Omar Abdullah said: “We will not waste a single day in restoring what was taken from us. We have lost a lot in the last six years. When I was last in this house, we were a state, we had our own Constitution, and our flag. But all of that was taken away from us. It will remain in my mind, but at the same time, sitting in this chair, I will not let a single day go to waste. I will work tirelessly to restore everything we lost for the people of this Union Territory.”
He called the current session of the Assembly “historic” despite its brief duration and expressed gratitude to the electorate for voting for change.
“This government is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of their party affiliation. This government is for everyone. “There were many who said elections would never happen. There were people who claimed they would not allow elections. But by God’s will, the elections took place, and the government was formed.”
Taking the opposition head-on, Omar Abdullah said: “We wanted every member to stay here and engage in meaningful discussions, especially on issues like the restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees. But the opposition turned this into a drama, abandoning the session midway.”
He rejected the idea that his National Conference’s resolution on special status was a compromise.
“The resolution we brought forward is not a compromise, it is a legitimate effort to restore what was taken from us,” he said.
He also criticised the Central government’s “dismissive attitude” toward the region’s demands, asserting that, while they may not expect immediate change, he remains hopeful that someday the region will reclaim its lost autonomy.
He highlighted the restoration of freedom of speech and thanked his government for addressing some of the concerns raised by the public, including reforms in the student examination process and recruitment opportunities.
“Our agenda will not be set by WhatsApp or Facebook, but by the people of Kashmir,” he asserted.
While acknowledging that his government does not have control over security issues, the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Peace is essential for everything, and we seek peace through cooperation, not suppression,” he said.
He also assured security forces of the government’s support in restoring peace across the region.
On other local issues, he expressed concern over the difficulties faced by people on highways and the CID verification process. “The government must look into those who do not have serious charges against them and review their cases,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to seeking statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
“We want Jammu and Kashmir to be restored to its rightful position as a state, as promised by the Centre and the Prime Minister. I remain hopeful that this will happen soon,” he said.
He said while industries were welcome in the region, there would be no compromise on Jammu and Kashmir’s assets.
“Our election promises remain intact, and we will work to fulfil these,” he said.
He noted, “It’s been a long time since I last spoke in this House as Chief Minister. The last time was back in early 2014 during the Governor’s address, and I spoke as a member of the opposition in 2018. Much has changed in these six and a half years—sometimes, it feels hard to believe. We’ve lost so much.
Reflecting on where we were and where we are today, I often find it difficult to grasp. The last time I stood here, we were a state with our own flag, our own constitution, and a unique identity within this country. All of that was taken away from us. While I regret what we’ve lost, I am also filled with a renewed sense of commitment. With the time God has granted me in this position, I am determined to achieve something meaningful for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Thanking the voters of Jammu and Kashmir for their participation in the recent elections, Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to serve all citizens, including those who did not vote or participate in the electoral process.
“This session marks a new beginning, a historic one, despite its limited timeframe. First and foremost, I want to thank the voters of Jammu and Kashmir, who participated in large numbers, regardless of whom they voted for. They cast their precious votes with the hope that this House would truly represent their aspirations, voice their concerns, and resolve their issues. This Assembly belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, to each and every citizen. We are here to serve all, not just those who voted or participated in this election. The people are our masters, and we owe them the respect of their decision”.
During the Motion of Thanks on Lieutenant Governor’s Address, the chief minister stated that many doubted that these elections would even take place, or hoped that they wouldn’t. “There were times when it felt like the possibility of a democratically elected Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir was a distant dream. I still recall a film in which our Assembly complex was used as a set, and it was disheartening. Our Assembly complex, where elected representatives sat, was reduced to a storage facility. But time has changed, and God had other plans. Today, members have reclaimed their rightful seats in this Assembly, as they should.”
Reflecting on the challenges and moments of humiliation he and other leaders faced in recent years, Abdullah reminded the Assembly, “A photograph surfaced on my phone today, bringing back memories of a time when I was a guest at the J&K State Guest House—not by choice. Many members here today were confined at SKICC. Those days, every effort was made to humiliate us. My sister, who wished to see me, had to seek permission from an official and was met with unnecessary barriers, all in the name of humiliation. What was our crime? Was it simply holding the national flag and abiding by the Constitution? We did not rebel; we sought things to be done through democratic means”.
He emphasized that today marks a fresh beginning, expressing a focus on future progress rather than past beginning. “I don’t intend to delve into past grievances, as I am someone who looks ahead. I am focused on our future and determined to reach our destination. Today, I rise to express my gratitude for the Lieutenant Governor’s address, hoped that all members would take part in this motion of thanks. We wanted discussions, particularly on restoring constitutional safeguards and statehood. Unfortunately, instead of constructive debate, we witnessed drama. I believe the people do not appreciate such chaos. A disorderly Assembly may benefit the government by avoiding accountability, but it betrays the public’s trust,” the chief minister said in his address.
Talking about the passing of resolution on granting special status and constitutional guarantees, the chief minister said that regarding the resolution that passed, let me clarify that it was no compromise.
“Initially, they applauded it as historic, but their stance changed in minutes. Securing a resolution that aligns with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was deliberate. This resolution sends a strong message; it signifies that Jammu and Kashmir’s unique status must be respected. If it were simply a compromise, it would not be causing so much concern in speeches from the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and others,” he said.
He added” “we crafted this resolution carefully, so future possibilities remain open. I understand that expectations from the current central government are low, but they will never be always there, system will change someday. We will not restrict ourselves; we owe it to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to keep all options open. That is why we used those words in the resolution with deep thought. May be tomorrow there will not be my government here and center may have different government and roadmap will be easy for them. Situation will change, so why should we confine ourselves,” he said about resolution.
“After the passing of this resolution, it feels as if a weight has been lifted. People are no longer afraid to speak; they feel their voices are being heard again. I am pleased to see that even the media, after years of constraint, is now able to speak freely,” he said. “To the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I promise that our agenda will always be shaped by your needs. Recently, we not only passed a resolution but also changed the school examination schedule to better suit our region, reversing one of the post-August 5, 2019 decisions. Recruitment processes are underway and will be accelerated.”
Addressing the Lieutenant Governor’s address to the assembly on November 4, he expressed hope for meaningful discussions on restoring constitutional safeguards and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
“Additionally, as mentioned in the Lieutenant Governor’s address, we plan to announce measures such as 200 units of free electricity, support for households through subsidized cylinders, and increased rations”. “While many powers have been transferred to this elected government, law and order remains outside our purview. But we assure the police and security forces that we will support all efforts to establish lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir, for without peace, progress cannot flourish,” Omar affirmed. “True peace cannot be achieved by force alone. There is a natural calm that comes through genuine partnership and trust-building”.
“On the inconvenience of travel on highway, Omar said: “I have spoken to law enforcement officials about practical solutions to ensure the security of the armed forces, while minimizing disruptions to civilians. We must also adopt a compassionate approach in areas such as verifications and handling of minor cases involving prisoners.”
On the powers of J&K Assembly, Omar said, “this Assembly is not yet what we aspire it to be; we seek a full statehood in real sense, not a hybrid model. The Prime Minister has assured the restoration of statehood, and I am grateful to the Lieutenant Governor for endorsing this commitment and I went with resolution and submitted it in Delhi. I am hopeful that soon we will see results,” “I have met with the Union Power Minister, who has sanctioned 300 MW of electricity for the winter to reduce power cuts. The Roads & Transport Minister has assured us a special financial package to complete key infrastructure projects, and I plan to meet with the Finance Minister soon.”
Speaking on the land and jobs for locals, the chief minister said that people of J&K deserve to live with honour and dignity.
“We deserve to live with honor and dignity. Our identity, our pride, and our survival are at stake. Like other states, we too should have control over our land, resources, and jobs. While we welcome outside investment, we will not sell our crown jewels, like Pahalgam or Gulmarg. These assets, built by our people, are not for sale”.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir can rest assured that we will honour our promises. The Lieutenant Governor’s address outlined a roadmap, but I assure you we will achieve much more. “This is our commitment to the state and its people,” he affirmed, vowing to uphold the dignity, identity, and aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he voiced disappointment over the disruptions that hindered such discourse. “A disorderly Assembly may benefit the government by avoiding accountability, but it betrays the public’s trust.”
The Chief Minister further outlined the significance of a recent resolution, stating it was no compromise but rather a message to reaffirm Jammu and Kashmir’s unique status.
