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The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir took a significant turn as the newly elected government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, initiated a crucial move towards restoring the region's statehood. The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, in a unanimous decision, passed a resolution urging the Union Government to restore statehood to the region, a step deemed by the government as the beginning of a healing process for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolution, which was the first agenda item of the Cabinet's inaugural meeting, was subsequently sent to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval. As per the procedural norms in a Union Territory, all cabinet notes require the L-G's clearance. Sinha's approval of the resolution marked a key development in the government's pursuit of restoring statehood, emphasizing its commitment to reclaiming constitutional rights and safeguarding the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The government's stance on the restoration of statehood has been met with both support and criticism. While the opposition has questioned the government's decision to prioritize a resolution on statehood over the revocation of Article 370, official sources have clarified that the two issues fall under different domains – statehood being a matter for the government, while Article 370 is the purview of the legislature. They maintained that the statehood resolution was the first step in a series of measures aimed at restoring the region's autonomy.
The Cabinet has authorized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to engage with the Prime Minister and the Government of India to advocate for the restoration of statehood. Abdullah is set to travel to the national capital in the coming days for a meeting with the Prime Minister and relevant Union Ministers. This engagement highlights the government's proactive approach to address this crucial issue.
In addition to the statehood resolution, the Cabinet also decided to convene the Assembly in Srinagar on November 4, with the L-G scheduled to deliver an address to the legislators. The draft of the L-G's address was presented to the Council of Ministers for discussion and consideration. Further, the Council recommended the appointment of Mubarik Gul as Protem Speaker, who will administer the oath to the elected members on October 21.
The restoration of statehood is a complex issue with profound implications for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The government's unwavering commitment to reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of the people of the region, as expressed through the resolution and subsequent actions, has sparked a significant dialogue and raised expectations of a return to normalcy and self-governance.