New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday ruled out politicising the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, saying he would not demand statehood for the Union Territory over the dead bodies of innocent civilians. “We are not in charge of law and order in Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said, adding, “But I will not use today’s situation to demand statehood from the Centre. I won’t demand statehood over dead bodies. We will demand it on another occasion.”
“My brand of politics is not so cheap that I would demand statehood at the cost of 26 lives,” he said, asserting that politics must have its limits, especially when human lives are involved. Demand for statehood has been a long-standing issue between the Centre and the Opposition. In August 2019, the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. While the National Conference has continued to press for the restoration of statehood, Omar Abdullah made it clear that political aspirations should not come at the cost of mourning lives lost to terrorism.
The National Conference leader strongly condemned the terror attack and said, “Today, we want to strongly condemn the Pahalgam terror attack.” He also read out the names of the victims in the Assembly, saying the safety and protection of the tourists was his responsibility. Speaking in the Assembly, Abdullah said, “Neither of us supports this attack. This attack has hollowed us. We are trying to find a ray of light in this… In the last 26 years, I have never seen people come out to protest against an attack like this.”
Highlighting the change on the ground, Abdullah said, “Militancy and terrorism will end when people will support us. This is the beginning of that… We should not say or show anything which harms this movement that has arisen. He noted that silence was observed in mosques across Kashmir to pay tribute to the victims, calling it “huge and very significant”.
Abdullah also recounted the story of the local from kashmir who died while trying to save others. “Adil, without bothering about his life, saved many tourists. He laid down his life. Instead of fleeing, he decided to save them,” he said. He also lauded the efforts of pony wallahs who rescued tourists and took the injured to hospitals, food stall owners who provided free meals, and the broader spirit of Kashmiri hospitality.
Expressing anguish over the victims’ suffering, Abdullah said, “What should I tell the widow of the Navy officer who had got married just a few days ago? I have no words to console her. Many family members of the victims asked me what was their crime? I had no answer.” He added, “Although I’m not in charge of law and order, I invited tourists to visit Kashmir. As their host, it was my duty to look after them and ensure their safety.