Jammu: As government offices reopened in Jammu under the revived Darbar Move tradition, National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that “those who wanted to divide Jammu and Kashmir have failed.”
Speaking to reporters during the reopening ceremony, Abdullah asserted that the Union Territory remains united and must now collectively focus on development. “Those who wanted to separate Jammu and Kashmir have failed today. The two regions are one,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, he remarked that those trying to politicise the issue should “give up politics” and instead work for the welfare and progress of the people. Abdullah expressed hope that Jammu would “reap maximum benefits” from the return of the Civil Secretariat, adding, “This (erstwhile) state has risen from many destructions, including wars. Now we must rebuild it together and move towards development.”
The NC leader also lauded the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and the local community for welcoming the move. “I thank every person from Jammu who supported this step,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who walked along Residency Road and through Raghunath Bazar, received a grand welcome from various trade associations, including the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for reviving the historic tradition that had been discontinued in 2021 by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Calling the revival a “significant step” initiated by Maharaja Hari Singh, Farooq Abdullah said the Darbar Move symbolised the unity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “It showed that, regardless of language or religion, people from both regions belonged to one land,” he noted.
On public concerns, Abdullah said that the long-pending demand to restore the Darbar Move had finally been fulfilled and expressed confidence that other issues would also be addressed “gradually over the next four years.”
Regarding the upcoming assembly bypolls in Jammu and Kashmir scheduled for November 11, the NC president said, “Everyone hopes for fair elections, and we too are hopeful that the outcome will be favourable for us. Our hopes are positive.”
