JAMMU/SRINAGAR: J&K CM Omar Abdullah choked back tears in a charged assembly session Monday as he vowed not to exploit the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives to press for restoration of the Union territory's statehood. "Curse be upon me if I go to Centre and push for statehood at this critical moment," he said.
His father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah , speaking to reporters outside the assembly, said Pakistan's actions in Pahalgam had eliminated any possibility for dialogue.
Omar said he felt personally responsible for the safety of the tourists, saying he as CM had "invited" them to Kashmir . "I was the host of these people... It was my responsibility to send these people safely, which I was unable to do," the CM said.
The assembly, in a special session convened at the request of ministers, unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attack and endorsing diplomatic steps taken by the Centre. It appealed to all states and Union territories to ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiris across India.
Omar: This time no politics, only condemnation & solidarity
Visibly emotional as he addressed the session, Omar Abdullah rejected demands from non-BJP members to leverage the April 22 attack for political gain. "I do not believe in cheap politics," he said. "Should I have no value for the 26 lives lost and go to Centre demanding statehood now? Neither business rules nor any other thing but only remembering the 26 people who died."
The CM stressed that the horror in Pahalgam would not be reduced to a bargaining chip. "We have talked about statehood in the past and will continue to talk about it, but not right now," he said. "This time there will be no politics - only condemnation, only solidarity."
"I used to support dialogue every time. How will we answer those who died in Pahalgam and those who lost their loved ones? Are we doing justice?" Farooq asked. "Not Balakot, today the nation wants such action so that these kinds of attacks never happen."
His voice breaking in the assembly, Omar read out the names and home states of all the victims - 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator. "From north to south and from east to west, the entire country has been engulfed in the attack," he said.
He recalled past atrocities, including attacks on Amarnath pilgrims, Doda villages, and Sikh communities, and warned that the horror of Baisaran had brought back the bloodshed people thought had ended over 21 years ago.
"There were no words when I met the families... the children who saw their fathers in blood... the woman who was married a few days ago," the J&K CM said, adding, "Some of them came to me and said, 'What was our fault? We had come to Kashmir for the first time'."
Omar highlighted spontaneous protests across J&K condemning the attack, calling them a turning point. "People's outrage against terrorism... this is beginning of its end if we take proper steps," the CM said.
His father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah , speaking to reporters outside the assembly, said Pakistan's actions in Pahalgam had eliminated any possibility for dialogue.
Omar said he felt personally responsible for the safety of the tourists, saying he as CM had "invited" them to Kashmir . "I was the host of these people... It was my responsibility to send these people safely, which I was unable to do," the CM said.
The assembly, in a special session convened at the request of ministers, unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attack and endorsing diplomatic steps taken by the Centre. It appealed to all states and Union territories to ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiris across India.
Omar: This time no politics, only condemnation & solidarity
Visibly emotional as he addressed the session, Omar Abdullah rejected demands from non-BJP members to leverage the April 22 attack for political gain. "I do not believe in cheap politics," he said. "Should I have no value for the 26 lives lost and go to Centre demanding statehood now? Neither business rules nor any other thing but only remembering the 26 people who died."
The CM stressed that the horror in Pahalgam would not be reduced to a bargaining chip. "We have talked about statehood in the past and will continue to talk about it, but not right now," he said. "This time there will be no politics - only condemnation, only solidarity."
"I used to support dialogue every time. How will we answer those who died in Pahalgam and those who lost their loved ones? Are we doing justice?" Farooq asked. "Not Balakot, today the nation wants such action so that these kinds of attacks never happen."
His voice breaking in the assembly, Omar read out the names and home states of all the victims - 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator. "From north to south and from east to west, the entire country has been engulfed in the attack," he said.
He recalled past atrocities, including attacks on Amarnath pilgrims, Doda villages, and Sikh communities, and warned that the horror of Baisaran had brought back the bloodshed people thought had ended over 21 years ago.
"There were no words when I met the families... the children who saw their fathers in blood... the woman who was married a few days ago," the J&K CM said, adding, "Some of them came to me and said, 'What was our fault? We had come to Kashmir for the first time'."
Omar highlighted spontaneous protests across J&K condemning the attack, calling them a turning point. "People's outrage against terrorism... this is beginning of its end if we take proper steps," the CM said.
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