Debate Over Jammu & Kashmir's Union Territory Status Intensifies

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rebuked opposition members for walking out of a legislative session over the usage of 'Union Territory,' maintaining the region's status until Parliament restores its statehood. The bill to amend the GST Act sparked further controversy, underlining the political tensions.

The political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir heightened as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized opposition members for their walkout over referring to the region as a 'Union Territory.' This term reflects the current status until the Indian Parliament restores statehood, Abdullah asserted.

The controversy unfolded during the passage of a bill amending the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017. People's Conference member Sajad Gani Lone led the walkout, alleging the bill's passage effectively endorsed the Union Territory status.

Countering the walkout, Chief Minister Abdullah emphasized his administration's ongoing efforts to reinstate statehood and dismissed the political use of misleading social media content. He underlined his commitment to statehood restoration by actively engaging national authorities on the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)