Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah said, “terror attacks occurred even when J&K had statehood.” He reminded that during his tenure, “we dealt with such incidents strongly.” Moreover, he blamed “strained ties with neighbouring countries” for the violence. He added, “people now look to the Supreme Court to restore our rights.”

Supreme Court Stresses Ground Realities

While hearing the plea on restoring J&K’s statehood, Chief Justice B R Gavai said, “you cannot ignore what has happened in Pahalgam.” Furthermore, he urged petitioners to “take into consideration the ground realities.” Lawyers, including senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, had requested an early hearing.

National Conference Points at Centre’s Lapse

NC spokesman Imran Nabi Dar called the Pahalgam attack “a security lapse of the Centre.” He noted it happened “under the watch of LG’s administration.” Additionally, he said, “if Omar sb had been in charge, the situation might have been entirely different.”

Mehbooba Mufti Warns of Deeper Deadlock

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the court’s remark “underscores a deeper issue about the Government of India’s continued lack of confidence in the region’s stability.” She argued that even after revoking J&K’s special status, “the Centre appears unwilling to ease its tight control.” As a result, she described the situation as “a deeper political and psychological deadlock.” She urged New Delhi to “correct past missteps” and “start a sincere process of dialogue and reconciliation.”

Waheed ur Rehman Para Calls It Political Reckoning

PDP leader Waheed ur Rehman Para said, “this is not merely a legal battle, it is a political and moral reckoning.” He stated, “Kashmiris did not send the gunmen to Pahalgam” and “we did not plant the bombs.” In addition, he questioned why “Mumbai was never downgraded after 26/11” and “Punjab after decades of cross-border terror,” yet J&K’s dignity was “made hostage to the misadventures of a neighbouring state.”

Sajjad Lone Urges Emergency Session

People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone urged Omar Abdullah to “call an emergency session of the J&K assembly within two days.” He warned that allowing “any Tom, Dick and Harry” to handle statehood matters was “very, very dangerous.” Furthermore, he said, “stop persecuting opposition, stop punitive transfers, and make a common front for statehood.” He stressed, “the institution for that is the assembly, not the cabinet.”