Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday criticized opposition members for staging a walkout over the use of the term “Union Territory” in the Assembly, asserting that J&K remains a UT until Parliament restores its statehood.
The controversy erupted during the passage of a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017. People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone walked out, alleging that passing the bill in its current form amounted to endorsing UT status.
Reacting to the walkout, Abdullah said, “Just because the term ‘Union Territory’ is mentioned here does not change the reality. Until Parliament restores our statehood, we remain a Union Territory. Let’s not politicize this.”
He added that political posturing would not help the cause. “We should not engage in politics over WhatsApp university posts. We have to work towards restoring statehood, and, Inshallah, we will achieve it. Simply removing the term ‘UT’ will not change our reality,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar Abdullah also pointed out that all Assembly business so far had been conducted under the name ‘Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.’ “During the finance bill discussion, I mentioned ‘Union Territory’ multiple times—why didn’t Sajad stage a walkout then? Every member took their oath under UT status and contested elections accordingly,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government was committed to fighting for statehood. “In our very first cabinet meeting, we passed a resolution demanding the restoration of statehood and submitted it to the Prime Minister. I have raised this issue with him at every opportunity, including during the Sonmarg function. The people of J&K do not want UT status—they want their statehood back,” Omar Abdullah said.
The bill, the first of the Budget session, was introduced by Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on behalf of the Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance portfolio.
During the discussion, Sajad Lone objected to the phrase “Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” arguing that it amounted to the Assembly accepting the region’s current status. “I will not be a partner in this,” he said before walking out.
Wahid Para of the PDP also raised concerns over the continued use of the term “Union Territory” in official documents, reflecting the larger political divide over J&K’s status. [KNT]
