Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticized the Central Government for delaying the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, alleging betrayal and deepening mistrust among the populace. He highlighted the government’s failure to fulfill commitments made in a three-stage process, pointing to the recent violent protests demanding statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Abdullah emphasized that the trust deficit is undermining public confidence, especially in light of events like the Pahalgam terror attack which he argues hinder the restoration process. This situation underscores the delicate balance between political commitments and security considerations in a region critical to India’s national integrity, especially given its geopolitical challenges with neighboring countries.