Altaf Bukhari urges CM Omar Abdullah to push for J&K statehood restoration

Anantnag, Jul 1; Apni Party President  Syed Mohammad  Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to use his position to push for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, rather than speculate about fresh elections.

“Omar does not need to leave the chair. He should instead use his power for early restoration of statehood,” Bukhari told reporters when asked about reports suggesting elections were a prerequisite for statehood. “Why discuss something that doesn’t exist? These are just rumours.”

Bukhari said the revocation of Article 370 and the downgrade of J&K into a Union Territory in 2019 came without warning. “No journalist predicted it, but it happened. Whatever the Prime Minister or Home Minister decides, they do it swiftly and without notice.”

Commenting on a letter to the Chief Justice of India from five prominent citizens—including a former Union home secretary and ex-defence officials—urging the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance of the delay in restoring statehood, Bukhari claimed such efforts are often backed by “invisible forces.”

Bukhari also demanded the release of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, questioning why a leader with a public mandate of over 500,000 votes remains behind bars. He also sought medical care for ailing separatist leader Shabir Shah of banned Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and a fair trial for Yasin Malik of banned JKLF..

“Caging people is not the solution,” he said. “If other ailing leaders can be held under house arrest, why not Shabir Shah?”

On the annual Amarnath Yatra, Bukhari said Kashmiris have always welcomed pilgrims warmly. “It used to be an occasion of festivity for both Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits. Even today, Yatris are treated with hospitality.”