Latest news with #5thAugust
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12 hours ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
‘Theatrics': Opposition criticises Omar Abdullah for signature campaign seeking J&K statehood
Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday described Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's announcement of launching a signature campaign to seek statehood for the Union Territory as ' theatrics ' and a ' token gesture '. Abdullah said during his speech on the occasion of Independence Day that his hope for statehood being restored to Jammu and Kashmir was fading. The chief minister announced that over the coming eight weeks, he and his team would go door to door across all 90 Assembly constituencies to collect signatures in support of restoring statehood. These signatures will be presented before the Supreme Court, he said. Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Para said Abdullah 'owes an apology, not a signature campaign', accusing the chief minister of reducing the fight for statehood to tokenism. 'The people gave him a historic mandate to fight for Article 370 and statehood, not to stage political theatre,' Para said in a social media post. He also accused Abdullah of betraying the commitment he made in the run-up to the Assembly elections. 'If he has already surrendered, he must admit it and apologise to every citizen of J&K for selling promises he never intended to keep,' Para added. Omar Abdullah owes an apology not a signature campaign for normalising 5th August. With 50 MLAs behind him, he has reduced the fight for J&K's statehood to token gestures, after seeking votes door-to-door on the promise of restoring pre–5th August status. This is not just… — Waheed Para (@parawahid) August 15, 2025 Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone also criticised Abdullah, questioning why the chief minister was avoiding bringing a resolution in the Assembly, which would carry 'constitutional dignity'. 'Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity,' Lone said. 'Name one event empirically in India or in the rest of the world where signature campaigns have altered legal interpretations. They are not even admissible. Assembly resolutions reflect the will of the people unambiguously.' We will support any movement towards statehood. But please don't make a mockery of statehood. We are already reeling under the impact of a 'Tom Dick and Harry' approaching the Supreme court. Let us approach the Supreme Court as a constitutional entity not as another 'Tom Dick… — Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) August 15, 2025 Abdullah claimed on Friday that he was told 'something big for Jammu and Kashmir will be announced from Delhi on Independence Day'. 'I was even told that papers were being prepared [for statehood],' said the chief minister. 'We waited, but nothing happened.' Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre had abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state, in August 2019. It also bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 2019 order abrogating Article 370 and ordered the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In January, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that he wanted to give the Centre the 'first opportunity' to restore the Union Territory's statehood before seeking legal recourse. The National Conference leader told reporters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself committed to restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. 'Every government or every individual has recourse to courts,' Omar Abdullah said. 'But that was never going to be our first option.'
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Omar owes an apology, not a signature campaign: Opposition tears into CM over statehood ‘theatrics'
As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he will launch a signature campaign to seek statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, the opposition, in a scathing attack, said he 'owes an apology and not a signature campaign'. Saying that signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity, the opposition questioned his 'reluctance' in passing a resolution for statehood in the assembly. 'Omar Abdullah owes an apology, not a signature campaign for normalising 5th August. With 50 MLAs behind him, he has reduced the fight for J&K's statehood to token gestures, after seeking votes door-to-door on the promise of restoring pre–5th August status,' senior Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Para said. 'This is not just a retreat, it is a betrayal. The people gave him a historic mandate to fight for Article 370 and statehood, not to stage political theatre.' Para said that if Omar has already surrendered, he 'must admit it and apologise to every citizen of J&K for selling promises he never intended to keep'. In his Independence Day speech, Omar said, 'We will have to leave the offices, and now we will have to raise our voice to those doors where our decisions are being made. Till now, through letters, resolutions, and meetings, we have raised our voice. Now we are going to raise our voice from every village of J&K to Delhi.' 'My intention today is that the Supreme Court has given us eight weeks… Henceforth, my colleagues and I will not sit idle. We will not get tired. We will use these eight weeks to reach every 90 assembly constituencies of J&K,' he said. Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone questioned the logic behind launching a signature campaign, saying that a resolution in the assembly instead would have constitutional dignity. 'Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity,' Lone said while promising support for any movement towards statehood. 'Can CM sahib please, once and for all times to come, explain his reluctance to have a resolution for statehood passed in the Legislative Assembly. Let us approach the Supreme Court as a constitutional entity.' Calling the door-to-door signature campaign 'theatrics', Lone assured unconditional support for the statehood campaign. 'I would strongly assert that pass a resolution in the state Assembly. That is the most dignified way to approach the Supreme Court,' Lone said. 'Please tell me, are you shielding and protecting the state BJP and giving them the luxury of not taking a position on statehood by not passing a resolution on statehood?'
United News of India
a day ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Omar Abdullah's statehood signature drive sparks Opposition heat in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 15 (UNI) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's announcement of a door-to-door signature campaign across the Union Territory for the restoration of J&K's statehood has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. Peoples Democratic Party MLA and legislature party leader in J&K Assembly Waheed Parra accused Omar of 'betraying' the people of Jammu and Kashmir by reducing the fight for statehood to 'token gestures' through a signature campaign. 'Omar Abdullah owes an apology not a signature campaign for normalising 5th August. With 50 MLAs behind him, he has reduced the fight for J&K's statehood to token gestures, after seeking votes door-to-door on the promise of restoring pre–5th August status. This is not just retreat, it is betrayal,' Parra said in a post on X. The PDP MLA claimed that the people gave Omar Abdullah a historic mandate to 'fight for Article 370 and statehood, not to stage political theatre.' 'If he has already surrendered, he must admit it and apologise to every citizen of J&K for selling promises he never intended to keep,' Parra said. The Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone asked Omar to stop "theatrics and pass an Assembly resolution on statehood." He warned against 'making a mockery' of the 'cause' and urged a dignified, constitutional route. He challenged Omar to 'once and for all' explain his reluctance to have a resolution for statehood passed in the Legislative Assembly — a constitutional body elected through the Election Commission of India. 'Our resolutions are not binding on the Supreme Court, but inherent in them will be constitutional dignity. It will be a constitutional message to the highest court in the country. Political or signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity. Name one event empirically in India or anywhere in the world where signature campaigns have altered legal interpretations. They are not even admissible,' he asserted. Recalling that 'a signature campaign for independence was carried out by Yasin Malik also — how far did that campaign go,' Lone accused Omar of showing 'disregard, disdain and contempt' for the very Assembly that gave him the CM's position. 'You derive your power, perks and Chief Ministerial position from the Assembly. Why this contempt for the very institution that has made you the CM?' he asked. 'I beg you — please stop this childish and immature attitude. We will support any campaign unconditionally. But please ensure that a resolution from the UT Assembly is also passed and sent to the Supreme Court. We are facing a battle of a lifetime. A door-to-door signature campaign is nothing but theatrics. Tell me, is the Supreme Court answerable to majoritarian assertions or to law? Majoritarianism is something politicians practise. Supreme Court practises law,' Lone cautioned. National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said the signature campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood will be run vigorously. 'The campaign will be run vigorously,' Farooq told reporters in Srinagar after attending the Independence Day function. UNI MJR PRS
Associated Press
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
The Aftermath of Mass Uprisings: Civil Wars Across Continents, Bangladesh Stands Strong
02/04/2025, Dhaka // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Mass uprisings have historically served as powerful catalysts for change. From the Arab Spring to recent demonstrations across continents, people's movements have often been the prelude to regime changes. However, the aftermath of these uprisings has frequently devolved into chaos, with nations plunging into civil wars and their socio-political fabrics left in tatters. Libya, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Mali, and South Sudan offer grim reminders of the cost of change without a structured transition. Yet, amidst this global narrative of turmoil, Bangladesh stands out as a nation that has defied the odds, maintaining stability and unity due to its patriotic military forces and the strategic implementation of the 5th August regulation. Civil War: A Shared Tragedy Across Nations In Libya, the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 led to a fractured nation ruled by rival militias, spiraling into violence, human trafficking, and economic collapse. Similarly, Syria's peaceful protests escalated into a decade-long civil war, leaving over 500,000 dead and millions displaced. Sudan, too, saw its fragile democratic transition derailed by a power struggle between the military and the Rapid Support Forces, causing widespread destruction. Yemen's descent into war after the Arab Spring protests in 2011 has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, while Ethiopia's ethnic tensions have morphed into a brutal conflict threatening its unity. Myanmar and the Sahel region continue to grapple with cycles of violence, while South Sudan's euphoria of independence in 2011 was short-lived, descending into civil war within two years. These cases highlight a common thread: the absence of a structured transition plan and unity among national institutions can lead to disastrous outcomes. Bangladesh: A Beacon of Stability In stark contrast, Bangladesh has emerged as a stable nation following mass uprisings, thanks to its patriotic military forces and a unified national approach. The events leading up to the 5th August regulation were marked by widespread unrest. Many police stations were burned, forcing officers to abandon their posts, leaving several areas vulnerable to chaos. However, the Bangladesh Army—fully functional and highly disciplined—stepped in as a crucial supporting force to restore and maintain law and order. This seamless integration of the military into civilian crisis management exemplifies Bangladesh's resilience. Acting in accordance with constitutional provisions and national interests, the armed forces swiftly filled the vacuum left by the beleaguered police forces, ensuring stability and public safety during a period of uncertainty. The Three Pillars of Stability Bangladesh's stability in the aftermath of mass uprisings rests on three crucial pillars: Professor Yunur and the Interim Government: Under the leadership of Professor Yunur, the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Bangladesh navigated its transition with wisdom and foresight. His emphasis on inclusive governance and transparent decision-making fostered public trust and national unity. The Role of Students: The student movement during the uprisings played a pivotal role in advocating for democratic reforms and national integrity. Their organized and peaceful approach contrasted sharply with the violent escalations witnessed in other nations, showcasing the power of a disciplined and educated youth. The Patriotic Military Forces: Bangladesh's military, particularly the Army, has been instrumental in maintaining order and stability. Their professionalism and commitment to national sovereignty have earned widespread respect, serving as a bulwark against potential anarchy. Lessons for the World Bangladesh's experience offers valuable lessons for nations grappling with post-uprising transitions. A unified military, a visionary leadership, and an engaged civil society are essential to prevent chaos and ensure stability. Unlike Libya, Syria, or Sudan, where competing factions tore the nations apart, Bangladesh's cohesive approach has enabled it to emerge stronger from its challenges. The global landscape is littered with examples of countries that failed to manage the aftermath of mass uprisings. Yet, Bangladesh's story is one of hope and resilience, underscoring the importance of national unity, institutional strength, and the unwavering spirit of its people. As the nation continues to build on its achievements, it stands as a beacon of stability in a world rife with turmoil
