SRINAGAR: The Omar Abdullah govt on Tuesday rejected the demand of statehood for Jammu region, calling it “unviable”, and said it was instead time for Ladakh to be reunited with Jammu and Kashmir.“J&K was a full-fledged state earlier. It was then bifurcated into Ladakh and J&K. Those who split J&K state now want to divide it further and desire to make even Kanak Mandi a state,” minister for jal shakti, environment and tribal affairs Javed Rana said, taking a veiled dig at BJP. Kanak Mandi is a historic wholesale market in Jammu city.BJP legislators were free to raise the issue of separate statehood for Jammu, but there was no such demand from large parts of the region, including Pir Panjal areas of Rajouri and Poonch and the Chenab Valley, said Rana talking to reporters. “Instead, I believe that the day is not far when Ladakh will again become part of J&K,” he added.BJP MLAs, especially former minister Sham Lal Sharma, have renewed calls for a separate Jammu state. Sharma said the demand was not new and that he had raised it way back in 2010, when he was a minister in then Congress govt. Sharma claimed the people of Jammu are more “nationalistic”, while Kashmir, he alleged, has been politically unstable due to the rhetoric of political parties like National Conference that says J&K only acceded to India and did not fully merge with it. Sharma alleged that Jammu was facing discrimination at the hands of “Kashmir-based rulers”. He also called for a Hindu chief minister.On Jan 5, BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi said Jammu was suffering because of what she described as “fundamentalists in Kashmir”. “When people from Jammu travel outside J&K, they are treated with suspicion and their identity is questioned. People assume Jammu is also influenced by extremism,” she said.Rejecting the charges, NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said: “BJP has no politics except tarnishing Kashmiris and their image.” The govt would not allow BJP members to create a rift between Jammu and Kashmir,, he said, adding: “We believe in equitable development of both regions. The restoration of Darbar Move is an indication of Omar govt’s commitment towards development of Jammu.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosImran Khan’s Family Stages Prayer Protest After Being Barred From Meeting Him At Adiala JailImran Khan’s Sister Aleema, PTI Members Hold Prayers Outside Adiala Jail After Meet DeniedTharoor Flags UN Charter Violations, Voices Concern Over US Action In VenezuelaUS Issues Blunt Warning To Indian Students: Breaking Laws May Cost Visas, Careers And Future DreamsCongress-BJP Tie-Up Claims In Ambernath Create Rift, Put Mahayuti Alliance Under Fresh Strain“Worst Kind of Discrimination in PoJK”: UKPNP Chairman Flags Deepening CrisisNo Compromise On Terror: PM Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu Reaffirm India Israel Strategic PartnershipOwaisi Slams MCD Demolition, Says Turkman Gate Land Fully Belongs To WaqfNehru Catered To Liaquat Ali Khan, Ignored Somnath History: BJP MP Sudhanshu TrivediUS FARA Filings Expose How Pakistan Lobbied Washington To Somehow Stop India’s Operation Sindoor123Photostories9 mistakes to avoid while making biryani at homeWinter Special: How to make traditional Besan Ka Sheera at home5 adorable-looking animals that are surprisingly deadly5 red flags people often ignore in friendships (But shouldn’t!)6 classic non-vegetarian Cutlets to enjoy during winter monthsVijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ to Prabhas’ ‘The Raja Saab’: Biggest South releases for Pongal 2026Can you guess the temples and places featured on INR 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 currency notes?How to add smoky flavour to winter dishes without using a tandoor at home”I just read somewhere that 20% of American meals are consumed in a car!” Sadhguru shares tips on the right way to eat foodRepublic Day 2026 long weekend travel ideas from Delhi-NCR; places to go, things to do123Hot PicksBudget 2026Venezuela NewsGold rate todayStock Market TodayCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceTaylor SwiftJimmie Johnson Net WorthEdward CabreraJamahal HillValentino Rossi and Francesca Sofia Novello Net WorthBrad Marchand Net WorthNHL Trade Rumor
SRINAGAR: The Omar Abdullah govt on Tuesday rejected the demand of statehood for Jammu region, calling it “unviable”, and said it was instead time for Ladakh to be reunited with Jammu and Kashmir.“J&K was a full-fledged state earlier. It was then bifurcated into Ladakh and J&K. Those who split J&K state now want to divide it further and desire to make even Kanak Mandi a state,” minister for jal shakti, environment and tribal affairs Javed Rana said, taking a veiled dig at BJP. Kanak Mandi is a historic wholesale market in Jammu city.BJP legislators were free to raise the issue of separate statehood for Jammu, but there was no such demand from large parts of the region, including Pir Panjal areas of Rajouri and Poonch and the Chenab Valley, said Rana talking to reporters. “Instead, I believe that the day is not far when Ladakh will again become part of J&K,” he added.BJP MLAs, especially former minister Sham Lal Sharma, have renewed calls for a separate Jammu state. Sharma said the demand was not new and that he had raised it way back in 2010, when he was a minister in then Congress govt. Sharma claimed the people of Jammu are more “nationalistic”, while Kashmir, he alleged, has been politically unstable due to the rhetoric of political parties like National Conference that says J&K only acceded to India and did not fully merge with it. Sharma alleged that Jammu was facing discrimination at the hands of “Kashmir-based rulers”. He also called for a Hindu chief minister.On Jan 5, BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi said Jammu was suffering because of what she described as “fundamentalists in Kashmir”. “When people from Jammu travel outside J&K, they are treated with suspicion and their identity is questioned. People assume Jammu is also influenced by extremism,” she said.Rejecting the charges, NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said: “BJP has no politics except tarnishing Kashmiris and their image.” The govt would not allow BJP members to create a rift between Jammu and Kashmir,, he said, adding: “We believe in equitable development of both regions. The restoration of Darbar Move is an indication of Omar govt’s commitment towards development of Jammu.”