Curse be upon me if I ask for statehood now,” said a visibly moved Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, responding to the dastardly terrorist attack on innocents in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives. He went on to say, “There were no words when I met the families…. The children who saw their fathers in blood… the woman who was married a few days ago.”
At 59, Omar stands at a unique moment in history. His call to “stand together as Indians—not just as Kashmiris”—was the most stirring part of his address. He admitted he can’t control a “terrorist with a gun’’ but can definitely “end militancy if people are with us’’. That time has come, declared Omar boldly and unequivocally.
Omar Abdullah | PTI
This is exactly what the bruised and grieving country wants to hear from a leader who is talking long-term peace, not expedient retaliation. A lesser person could have taunted the Centre and blamed authorities for the major security lapse that cost the lives of unarmed people, enjoying the unmatched beauty of Pahalgam. This could have been the perfect political opportunity to demand statehood and win brownie points from supporters of such a demand. His mature response, which demonstrated empathy and avoided a nasty blame game, has won over Omar’s critics and opponents—those who have much to gain from a fractured J&K.
Omar’s fascinating political journey is the stuff of gripping film scripts. Surely, a biopic is overdue? His father, Farooq Abdullah, a flamboyant, larger-than-life figure across generations, did not win hearts with his comment after the deadly attacks. “Ask Modi,” he mocked when asked how India should respond to Pakistan, post-Pahalgam. As the National Conference leader, his views were critical in diffusing a potentially incendiary situation. But Farooq chose the predictable route by deflecting the question. As the former CM of J&K, who has consistently backed a dialogue between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, his opinions are eagerly sought by political analysts. An outright condemnation of the attack would have been the right way forward, given the tragic circumstances.
A few years ago, while on a brief holiday in Srinagar, I sought a meeting with Omar—it was nothing more than a casual social call. I knew his father a little bit and my son was thrilled to meet him [Farooq] on the golf course in Srinagar. Earlier, Omar was gracious enough to agree to a breakfast meeting, since we were leaving the same afternoon. Entering the vast Abdullah estate, with its fortress-like security, was an experience in itself. According to his poll affidavit, Omar owns no home, land, car or any other immovable assets of his own—but he has always lived like a billionaire.
Over Kashmiri kahwa and cookies, we chatted politely in elegant surroundings, watched discreetly by alert security personnel. What stood out wasn’t Omar’s boyish charm or trim physique—it was the passion with which he spoke about the valley. It was obvious he wasn’t flirting with politics—he was deeply invested. And was a committed stakeholder in the future of his state. This was no ‘playboy politician’ enjoying the perks of his special position. So many years later, I once again experienced the same feeling listening to his voice of sanity from a wounded destination—our beloved Kashmir, India’s pride.
May Omar continue to lead his people with courage and conviction.
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