Omar Abdullah’s I-Day speech: ‘Decision our leaders took 80 years ago was right’

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed the nation on Independence Day, emphasizing that the constitutional structure of Jammu & Kashmir should not have been altered in 2019. He urged the return of what was taken away from them, citing the protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as evidence. In his speech, Omar stressed the importance of federalism and warned that central agencies usurping state powers led to situations like those seen at Jantar Mantar.

He noted that the protests by young people across the country, including at Jantar Mantar, were consequences of central agencies interfering in state affairs. Omar also highlighted how the process to strengthen federalism should begin in Jammu and Kashmir, as whatever was snatched from them should be returned. He stressed that converting a Union Territory into a state alone does not constitute federalism, and every state in the country should be strengthened.