On Sheikh Abdullah’s Anniversary, Deputy CM Decries J&K’s Loss of Statehood
Says History Shows UTs Become States, Not the Reverse
Suhail Khan
Jammu, Dec 05: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary expressed profound regret while observing the birth anniversary of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah—the leader who irrevocably integrated Jammu and Kashmir with India and bound it to the Constitution and flag of the nation—noting that the occasion is being marked in a region that has been downgraded from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory.
Speaking exclusively with Kashmir Convener, Chaudhary stated, “The status of a state was granted to us when the late Sheikh Sahib firmly anchored a strong Jammu and Kashmir to the Indian Constitution. It is deeply regrettable that we have now been reduced to a Union Territory.”
He added, “History offers no precedent where a state has been broken and demoted to a UT. Typically, Union Territories are upgraded into states. Jammu and Kashmir stands as an unfortunate exception.”
The Deputy CM also addressed the cancellation of a holiday declared in honour of Sheikh Abdullah, known as Sher-e-Kashmir. “While we celebrate Sheikh Sahib’s legacy today, we are pained that a holiday in his name was rescinded by our opponents—those with a petty mindset,” he said.
“However,” Chaudhary said, “Sher-e-Kashmir did not need a holiday. His stature was immense. He was an ideology unto himself, an institution. Institutions do not require holidays; they endure forever.”
He emphasized that Abdullah’s ideology remains alive through his political successors. “The thought and ideology of Sher-e-Kashmir have endured and continue from Dr. Farooq Abdullah to Omar Abdullah. The consistent mission has been to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir, to strengthen India, to uphold Baba Sahib Ambedkar’s Constitution, to honour the Indian flag, and to fulfill all commitments made to the people under the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference.”
Chaudhary further added by reaffirming his party’s pledge: “On this day, we renew our vow to fulfill every promise in our manifesto—whether on employment, cooking gas cylinders, or 200 units of electricity. When our term concludes in five years, we will present our accomplishments directly to the people.”
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