After enduring personal and professional setbacks, Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and a prominent National Conference (NC) member, has opted for a brief hiatus 'off the grid' to recharge and return with renewed vigour.
The decision follows the recent Supreme Court verdict affirming the BJP's move to revoke Article 370 and the dismissal of his divorce petition by the Delhi High Court, concerning his estranged wife, Payal Abdullah.
Taking to X, Abdullah drew inspiration from the quote, "It's not about how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." Expressing profound disappointment over recent days, both personally and professionally, he asserted his refusal to retreat.
The interval serves as his annual moment to reconnect with loved ones, rejuvenate, and reemerge invigorated. He anticipates his return in the early days of the new year, geared up to confront forthcoming challenges, notably two elections in J&K slated for 2024.
The NC was among the petitioners contesting the Article 370 move in the apex court.
The SC's ruling in favor of the BJP's decision on August 5, 2019, concerning J&K left regional parties, including the NC, disheartened.
Ahead of the ruling, Abdullah, in a video message, revealed being confined to his residence and raised questions at J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha regarding his awareness of these actions or if they were independent decisions by officials. While speaking to the press, Sinha had denied any such arrests.
Abdullah has pledged to abstain from contesting elections until J&K regains its statehood—a stance echoed by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. Post the apex court’s verdict, regional parties face an arduous task countering the BJP and sustaining relevance.
Regarding his divorce plea from his estranged wife, the Delhi HC, on Tuesday, upheld the family court's decision, concurring that Abdullah's allegations of cruelty against Payal Abdullah lacked specificity.
The bench concluded that Abdullah failed to substantiate any acts of cruelty, be it physical or mental, by Payal Abdullah. "We find no merit in the appeal. The same is dismissed," the bench declared. Abdullah and Payal Abdullah tied the knot on September 1, 1994, and have lived separately since 2009. They have two sons.
