Omar Abdullah calls for J&K statehood restoration, announces mass drive on Independence Day

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday became the first elected head of Jammu and Kashmir in eight years to unfurl the national flag and preside over the main Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. He was provided a guard of honour and took salute as contingents of police, paramilitary forces, and schoolchildren marched past.

Before the ceremony, Mr. Abdullah visited the Balidan Stambh at Partap Park on Residency Road, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation. The main Independence Day function concluded peacefully across the union territory, including similar events at MAM Stadium in Jammu and other district headquarters.

In an emotional address, the CM strongly urged the restoration of J&K’s statehood. He announced that in the eight weeks allowed by the Supreme Court for the government to respond to the statehood plea, he and his cabinet ministers and MLAs will tour all 90 Assembly constituencies to collect signatures and thumb impressions from the public in support of statehood.

He emphasized the challenges of governance under the current dual system and noted the importance of coordination between the elected representatives and bureaucracy. Mr. Abdullah also expressed concern over the diminishing hope in Kashmir and reaffirmed his commitment to work in line with India’s founding vision.

The cultural programme, traditionally a key part of the celebrations, was cancelled this year as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in Thursday’s Kishtwar flash floods. The Independence Day events were carried out smoothly with no reports of untoward incidents.