Jammu and Kashmir not the only state with special status: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and vice president National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah on Friday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for making attempts to dilute the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addresing a presser in Srinagar, Omar said that the special status of the state guaranteed under Article 35A of the constitution has been under threat right from the beginning but after the rightwing BJP come to power the threat of abrogation has only increased after BJP came into power.

He said that Jammu and Kashmir is not the only state in the country that has special status and identity.

“North East, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar or Lakshadweep have special status and their own identity under the same Indian constitution. Why is it always that Jammu and Kashmir has to face the onslaught of these rightwing parties?”

He said that there was a wrong notion that special status is only for Valley Muslims.

“Article 35-A is beneficial for Kargil, Leh as well as for the people of Jammu,” Omar said.