Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration, Citing 150K Migrants and Unity for Progress

Farooq Abdullah urged the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, calling the region “India’s crown” and vital to national progress. He emphasized unity, condemning propaganda that fueled division and led to loss of land and jobs in Jammu. Abdullah also announced that NC members would meet with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to support government formation in the region.

CONTENTS:

• Abdullah urges Kashmiri Pandits’ return.
• Kashmiri Pandits show 30% voter turnout.
• Kashmiri Pandit migration estimated 150,000.
• Abdullah urges statehood, unity for progress.

Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration, Citing 150K Migrants and Unity for Progress

Abdullah urges Kashmiri Pandits’ return

Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration  On Saturday, National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah urged Kashmiri Pandits to “come back home.” The Kashmiri Hindu community experienced a mass exodus in the early 1990s due to a surge in armed insurgency and terrorism in the Valley. Abdullah, who previously served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, reassured the Kashmiri Pandits that the NC government is not their adversary.

He expressed hope that those who had left would return, stating, “Now the time has come; they should return to their homes. We care not only for Kashmiri Pandits but also for the people of Jammu, ensuring they feel that the National Conference government is not their enemy. We are Indians and wish to unite everyone.” Abdullah’s NC party, in coalition with the Congress party, performed strongly in the recent Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, securing 42 seats in the 90-member assembly, while the Congress won six seats.

Kashmiri Pandits show 30% voter turnout

Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration  In the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, over 35,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits were eligible to vote across 24 polling stations in the first phase. In the second phase, nearly 40% of eligible Kashmiri Pandits cast their ballots in polling stations located in Jammu, Delhi, and Udhampur. During the third and final phase, Kashmiri Pandits registered a voter turnout of over 30%, with 5,545 out of 18,357 registered voters participating across 16 assembly segments in North Kashmir districts, utilizing specially designated polling booths in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi-NCR.

Kashmiri Pandit migration estimated 150,000

Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration Migration figures have fluctuated significantly over time, often reflected in official records that are regularly updated. In the years immediately following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the government estimated that approximately 50,000 families had left Kashmir due to militancy. However, the 2022 estimate is lower, at 44,684 families. According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the total number of migrants in 2022 is just over 150,000.

Abdullah urges statehood, unity for progress

Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration  National Conference president Farooq Abdullah called on the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, emphasizing that the region is “India’s crown,” and its prosperity is essential for the nation’s overall development. He stated, “For Jammu and Kashmir to overcome its challenges, the Centre’s backing is vital to restore statehood and enable the government to function effectively. If the crown doesn’t shine, how will India shine?”

Abdullah also announced that NC members would meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to submit a letter of support for forming the government in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “We will meet the LG tomorrow to set a date for the swearing-in ceremony. Once confirmed, our elected members from various parts of Jammu will be informed.”

Farooq Abdullah Calls for J&K Statehood Restoration  Referring to the support from Aam Aadmi Party’s lone MLA Mehraj Malik, Abdullah stressed the need to remove hatred in order to advance Jammu and Kashmir. He warned that failing to do so would hinder the region’s progress. “We need to win the hearts of the people of Jammu. False propaganda has misled them into believing that stone-pelting, terrorism, and danger were imminent,” he said.

Abdullah further criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s alleged propaganda, which he claimed caused the people of Jammu to lose their lands and jobs. He emphasized the NC’s goal of dispelling this misinformation and creating a harmonious environment where everyone can thrive.