Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly criticised Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, arguing that India has historically been restricted from making full use of rivers flowing through its own territory.
Abdullah’s remarks came while responding to the Pakistan Prime Minister’s comments on the water-sharing agreement. He said Pakistan’s concern for Kashmir appears to disappear when the issue involves water resources.
‘Pakistan’s concern for Kashmir disappears when it comes to water’
Abdullah questioned Pakistan’s repeated claims of supporting the people of Kashmir, asking why the same concern was not shown when restrictions were placed on India’s use of its rivers.
“We have always said that our blood has been completely drained out through the Indus Water Treaty; these are our rivers, and we had the first right over them,” Abdullah said.
He argued that the treaty placed restrictions on India’s ability to use water from rivers that flow through Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Abdullah, three of the six rivers covered by the arrangement were allocated to India, while the remaining three were allocated to Pakistan.
Omar Abdullah wants treaty cancellation to continue
Abdullah said the cancellation of the Indus Waters Treaty should remain in place, arguing that this would allow India to make greater use of its water resources.
He said restrictions under the treaty had prevented Jammu and Kashmir from fully utilising rivers such as the Chenab and Jhelum.
“We could not even draw drinking water from the Chenab. We could not build a barrage at Tulbul and use the Jhelum for irrigation. Nor could we build a large dam on any of our rivers to store and regulate the water,” he said.
Abdullah also referred to the Pakistan Prime Minister’s description of the situation as “a drop of blood”, saying the comparison reflected what he described as the long-term impact of the treaty on India’s water rights.
“So, it is good that he called it ‘a drop of blood.’ He was right… our blood has been drained,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah renews demand for Jammu and Kashmir statehood
The J&K Chief Minister also reiterated his demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
He said his party would continue to raise the issue and indicated that further political action could follow.
Abdullah referred to the recent protest at Jantar Mantar as only the beginning and said his party was considering additional steps, including a possible “long march”.
Taking a swipe at the phrase “Modi’s guarantee”, he described the promised restoration of statehood as a “super promise”.
“We are still unsure why this ‘super promise’ hasn’t been fulfilled; however, we are doing the best we can under the current circumstances. And we will continue to raise and discuss this issue,” Abdullah said.
Omar Abdullah condemns attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal
Abdullah also reacted to the recent attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded, Maharashtra.
He condemned the incident and questioned how Badal, who has Z-plus security, could be attacked for a second time.
“We strongly condemn this attack. Dr Farooq Abdullah has already condemned it. Such attacks should not happen. He was attacked before, after which he was assured that special attention would be paid to his security—he has Z-plus security—but what kind of Z-plus security is this?” Abdullah said.
Badal was injured in the Nanded attack and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Abdullah stressed that political or personal disagreements cannot justify violence.
“First and foremost, such attacks should not happen again, because there is no place for such things in a democracy; attacking someone if you have a grievance is extremely dangerous in a democracy,” he said.
