A political translation ofOmar Abdullah’s July 11 and 12 speeches in Srinagar and Jammu is a must to understand their deeper meanings and implications. We all know that these are not ordinary times, and the speeches also went beyond the usual political grammar and syntax. Their import will be known in the days to come. Much of it depends on whether his government is allowed to stay on course, or his words will be used against him to repeat ugly political developments of the past

In either of the cases, the ball is in the Centre’s court ; in fact, it always has been and always will be.Omar tried to change the course and puthis political career on the block. He raised abig question: “If we are not to agitate and find answers to our demand for statehood from Delhi, then where should be go? Tell us, should we go and protest outside Trump’s residence in America?” This was in response to BJP leaders’ claim that the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi will be futile,as NC will get nothing out of that.Omar walked a precarious rope, emphasizing the necessity of statehood for J&K. It was a well-timed move,as the burden of not speaking public or taking the matter to the streets had become unbearable for him, his party, the government, and allhis supporters. It also served as a test of his crowd-pulling capacity, more so in Jammu, where the response proved to be no less overwhelming.

The protest has already started, as witnessed in Srinagar and Jammu.If permitted, the July 20 sit-in at Jantar Mantar would primarily serve as a symbol, gaining visibility before a wider national audience by coinciding with the opening day of the monsoon session of the parliament. If it........

© Greater Kashmir