Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other National Conference (NC) leaders for not attending the sixth Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day celebrations. In his statement, Sinha underlined the importance of celebrating UT Day, noting that the current status of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory is a reality.
Also read: Those who wanted to merge Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan have failed: Farooq Abdullah
The LG said that the Home Minister had said in Parliament that first there would be delimitation, then elections and statehood at the appropriate time. Those who took the oath of the Constitution when Jammu and Kashmir was a Union Territory, stayed away today. This is duplicity of character. The reality is that it is a ute; The day JK becomes a state, we will also celebrate. National Conference leaders have been vocal in their opposition to UT Day and are demanding the return of full statehood.
NC MLA Tanveer Sadiq had earlier said that the NC will not celebrate UT Day as the party does not recognize Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory, claiming that its status was taken away from the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and it Was unconstitutional. Speaking to ANI, JKNC spokesperson reiterated, “We will never compromise on Union Territory status.” Our demand is for full statehood and due status for Jammu and Kashmir before August 5, 2019.”
Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: Mini bus falls into ditch in Udhampur, 30 including nursing student injured
Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Foundation Day marks the creation of the Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. This year, like last year, it was celebrated at the Convention Centre, Jammu. Meanwhile, on Monday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha held a review meeting to discuss the security situation and development aspects in all the districts of Kashmir division ahead of the foundation day of the Union Territory. The meeting was held in Srinagar and was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dullu, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Home Secretary Chandrakar Bharti and other senior officials.
