SRINAGAR: The governing National Conference reiterated on Friday its demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, the first time it has done so after the Pahalgam terror attack.In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message to “Sikkim on their Statehood Day”, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq wrote on X, “Warm greetings to the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day. As we celebrate the strength of India’s unity in diversity, we humbly urge Hon’ble PM@narendramodi ji to also grant Jammu & Kashmir its rightful place by restoring its statehood. Our aspirations must be respected and promises fulfilled.”After the Pahalgam terror attack, addressing a special session of the J&K assembly, chief minister Omar Abdullah had delivered a speech saying that the Union Territory’s people had shown a united face against terrorism. Reiterating that security responsibilities in J&K were not under the elected government, Abdullah had said, “I have too much respect for the sanctity of these 26 lives to indulge in petty politics. I will not exploit their martyrdom to raise demands for statehood or any other political gain today.”“Curse be upon me if I go to the Centre and push for statehood at this critical moment,” Omar had said.On August 5, 2019, the Centre had nullified Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to J&K, and had bifurcated J&K state into the UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh. Since then both UTs have been seeking restoration of statehood.
