On Thursday, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that "everyone has to accept the truth" that Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory.
He said this during a media interaction on the J&K Foundation Day – to coincide with the Reorganisation Act 2019 when the erstwhile state was downgraded to a UT, as the ruling NC and its allies, including the Congress, stayed away from the celebrations. Thursday was the 5th anniversary of J&K's reorganisation into a UT.
"Things have taken the shape as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that first, delimitation then Assembly polls and then at an appropriate time, statehood. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, and everyone should accept that reality. But when again J&K becomes a state, then we shall celebrate that day also," the Lt Governor said to a question about the ruling party's abstention on the occasion.
NC spokesman and MLA Tanvir Sadiq has also announced on Wednesday that he wouldn't attend the SKICC function on UT Day, saying it doesn't recognize J&K as a UT.
In an obvious reference to NC leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Cabinet ministers, Sinha said: "It was unfortunate that those who took oath under the Indian Constitution are opposing UT status of J&K. This reflects their dual character."
The LG said that the Panchayat polls could not be held as there was a delay in reservation for backward classes, and the J&K administration is committed to holding the elections as soon as possible.
He said under the leadership of PM Modi, J&K has touched new heights of development and peace. "The development is visible from roads to train to hospitals to medical colleges."
Outside investment is going to soon be doubled from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs one lakh crore. J&K Bank was withdrawn from debt and today it has become a profit-earning institution which provides loans to every needy person. Today, it is a people's bank. The progress bank is an example of a change J&K has undergone in the past few years.
"In the last five years, J&K moved forward with peace and prosperity. Lal Chowk's identity was changed and today it is known for something else. Pulwama Chowk witnesses anti-terrorist protests and candlelight marches. Post 2019, the air has changed. In the last few days, some terrorist incidents took place where brave men lost their lives. But I believe that J&K Police and other forces will give the perpetrators a befitting reply," the LG said.
"Efforts are on to root out the terrorism from J&K. Time is not far when J&K would be free from terror. Peace is a must for J&K's progress. Some people are trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere. I request them, refrain from provocative statements as it was after huge efforts that J&K is a peaceful place today," he said.
The NC and Congress decided to stay away from Thursday's celebrations saying that whatever happened on August 5, 2019 (Abrogation of Article 370 & downgrading of J&K into UT) was unconstitutional and immoral.
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