Kathmandu— Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir reiterated on Wednesday that his party remains committed to reversing all administrative and constitutional changes made in August 2019, which stripped the region of its special status under Article 370. The National Conference leader used a quote from Robert Frost's poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' to emphasize their ongoing struggle for statehood.

Historical Context and Current Stance

In August 2019, the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed Article 370 of the Constitution, ending Jammu and Kashmir's special status and dividing it into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This move has been a source of contention for political leaders in the region who argue that it undermines the rights and identity of the people.

Omar Abdullah, in his social media post, invoked Robert Frost’s poem to convey the ongoing commitment of his party to restore statehood. He emphasized that the National Conference remains steadfast in its efforts despite the passage of seven years since the abrogation.

Calls for Constitutional Reversal

Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah echoed similar sentiments, urging the central government to honor previous assurances made to the local population and the country. He emphasized that the government should fulfill its promises regarding Jammu and Kashmir's rights.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also weighed in on the issue, describing the abrogation of Article 370 as a 'Constitutional outrage.' Chidambaram questioned the timeline for restoring statehood and highlighted an unresolved legal question raised before the Supreme Court regarding whether a state can be divided into Union Territories.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.