Omar Abdullah claims PoK would seek merger with India if special status remained

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that if the central government had not revoked the region's special status and statehood in 2019, residents of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would likely be protesting to merge with India.

Speaking at an Independence Day event in Srinagar, Abdullah noted that the current situation in PoK validates the 1947 decision made by his grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, to join India to resist Pakistani-backed invaders. He expressed solidarity with the people of PoK, stating that the government continues to reserve seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly for them in anticipation of their eventual participation.

Abdullah emphasized his administration's commitment to restoring statehood and constitutional protections to Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that such measures are essential to maintaining the country's federal structure. He also criticized centralized examinations like NEET and JEE for infringing upon state rights and warned against central agencies interfering in state authority.