Jammu & Kashmir UT Day Stirs Political Controversy

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC leaders for boycotting Jammu & Kashmir's Foundation Day, emphasizing its current Union Territory status. NC leaders argue for restoring full statehood, insisting on autonomy lost in 2019. The day commemorated under tight security and development reviews.

In a pronounced critique, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chastised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other National Conference (NC) leaders for their conspicuous absence from the sixth Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day celebrations held on Thursday. Sinha highlighted the importance of the event, reiterating Jammu and Kashmir's current status as a Union Territory.

Addressing claims and political stances, Sinha reminded that the Home Minister's disclosure in Parliament was clear—delimitation first, followed by elections, and eventual statehood when appropriate. Sinha condemned the NC leaders who abstained despite their constitutional obligations while acknowledging that the region remains a Union Territory. He assured that if Jammu and Kashmir were to regain statehood, celebrations would follow suit. Meanwhile, NC leaders remain staunchly opposed to the current UT Day observance, demanding a return to full statehood, which they believe was unjustly revoked in 2019.

In a statement to ANI, the JKNC spokesperson firmly declared their refusal to accept Jammu and Kashmir's status as a Union Territory. The spokesperson reiterated demands to reinstate the region's pre-2019 status. As customary, the Union Territory Foundation Day took place at the Convention Centre in Jammu amid heightened security and developmental discussions. Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Sinha convened a review meeting on security and development in the Kashmir division ahead of the event. The conference was attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat.

(With inputs from agencies.)