Jammu and Kashmir Leaders Debate UT Foundation Day Celebrations
In Jammu, the chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir, Ravinder Raina, expressed hope that Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, would attend future Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day events. Raina emphasized that individuals in constitutional positions should prioritize their duties over party politics.
However, regional parties like the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, chose to boycott the celebrations. Raina remarked on the importance of attending such constitutional events, hoping for future participation from the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, soldiers from the Indian and Chinese armies exchanged sweets along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during Diwali, a gesture Raina praised as a positive step towards peace.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, questioned the absence of Omar Abdullah and other NC leaders from the sixth UT Foundation Day celebrations. Sinha highlighted the reality of Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a Union Territory and mentioned the government’s plan for delimitation, assembly elections, and eventual statehood.
NC leaders, including MLA Tanvir Sadiq, have been vocal against UT Day, demanding a return to full statehood, arguing that the 2019 reorganization was unconstitutional. Mehbooba Mufti also criticized the day, calling it a “black day” until Jammu and Kashmir’s special powers are restored.
The UT Foundation Day commemorates the creation of the Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, and was celebrated at the Convention Centre in Jammu.
Doubts Revealed
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India. It used to be a state, but now it is a Union Territory.
UT Foundation Day -: UT Foundation Day is a celebration marking the day when Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory in 2019.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is a major political party in India.
Ravinder Raina -: Ravinder Raina is a leader of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.
CM Omar Abdullah -: Omar Abdullah is a politician from Jammu and Kashmir who has served as the Chief Minister of the region.
NC -: NC stands for National Conference, a political party in Jammu and Kashmir.
PDP -: PDP stands for People’s Democratic Party, another political party in Jammu and Kashmir.
LG Manoj Sinha -: LG stands for Lieutenant Governor, and Manoj Sinha is the current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Territory -: A Union Territory is a type of administrative division in India, which is governed directly by the Central Government.
2019 reorganization -: In 2019, the Indian government reorganized Jammu and Kashmir, changing it from a state to a Union Territory.
