Omar Abdullah

Personal life

Omar Abdullah was born on 10 March 1970 in Rochford, Essex, United Kingdom. He is a grandson of Sheikh Abdullah, and the only son of Farooq Abdullah, a physician and former Chief Minister of J&K. All three men have held the position of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. His mother, Mollie, an Englishwoman and a nurse by profession, has said that she was not in favor of him joining politics. NEWSMAKER: Omar Abdullah Business Standard, New Delhi, 2 January 2009. He studied at the Burn Hall School located at Sonwar Bagh, Srinagar and then at Lawrence School, Sanawar. He is a B.Com. graduate of Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics. He was employed with ITC Limited and The Oberoi Group till the age of 29 before entering politics. He did commence an MBA with the University of Strathclyde, however due to his election to the Lok Sabha, he dropped out from the course.

He is married to Payal Nath. She is the daughter of a retired army officer, Ram Nath. In September 2011, Omar confirmed that he and his wife have separated but their divorce is still pending in courts. His younger sister, Sara married Sachin Pilot, son of Rajesh Pilot, in 2004 but the couple divorced in 2023.

He had a role in director Apoorva Lakhia’s film, Mission Istanbul (2008) playing himself.

Political career

In 1998, at the age of 28, Omar Abdullah was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha, becoming the youngest member. In 1998–99, he was a member of both the Committees on Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism's Consultative Committee. In 1999, he was elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term as a Member of Parliament). On 13 October 1999, he took oath as Union Minister of State, Commerce and Industry. On 22 July 2001, he became the youngest Union Minister, when he was made Union Minister of State for External Affairs. He resigned from the post on 23 December 2002, to concentrate on party work.

On 23 June 2002, he became the President of the National Conference party, replacing his father, Farooq Abdullah. He lost his Ganderbal seat in the Kashmir assembly elections held in September–October 2002. Abdullah was re-elected as the National Conference party's president in 2006.

In March 2006, much to the disapproval of the centre Omar Abdullah had a one-on-one meeting with Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad. This was the first meeting of its kind between a mainstream politician from Jammu & Kashmir and the Pakistani government, thereby re-enforcing Omar's growing commitment to the solution of the Jammu & Kashmir cause.

On 22 July 2008, Omar gave a speech during the 2008 Lok Sabha vote of confidence, which was praised and won him fans on the internet. "I am a Muslim and I am an Indian, and I see no distinction between the two. I don't know why should I fear the nuclear deal. It is a deal between two countries which, I hope, will become two equals in the future. The enemies of Indian Muslims are not America or deals like these. The enemies are the same as the enemies of all those who are poor—poverty, hunger, lack of development and the absence of a voice".22 July 2008, Lok Sabha Give us a voice, says NC’s Omar Abdullah, floors House with own Indian Express, 23 July 2008.

On 6 February 2020 the government of India booked him under the Public Safety Act (PSA) which was revoked on 24 March 2020.

Mr. Abdullah has been appointed a member of the Coordination Committee of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance at its Mumbai convention on 1 September 2023. The coordination committee will decide the national agenda, common campaign issues and common program of the country's main opposition alliance (I.N.D.I.A.).

In the 2024 Lok Sabha Election Omar Abdullah was defeated by Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid. In run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Omar Abdullah showed unwillingness to go for a seat sharing agreement with other political parties under the INDIA alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, and insisted on NC contesting all seats in Kashmir region. He won both of his assembly seats from Budgam Assembly constituency and Ganderbal Assembly constituency and later withdrew his Budgam seat and retained Ganderbal seat.

Chief Ministership

After the 2008 Kashmir Elections, the National Conference won the largest number of seats, and formed a coalition government with the Congress party, and Omar was sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on 5 January 2009 at the General Zoravar Singh Auditorium in the University of Jammu, Jammu, raising hope amongst the people of Jammu and Kashmir who had been reeling under insurgency and violence caused by cross border terrorism since 1989.

In 2009, Omar Abdullah was accused of covering up the rape and murder of two young women in Shopian. Many regarded this as Abdullah's first failure, as even moderates felt Abdullah had bowed to pressure from New Delhi.

At the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election, Abdullah's Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and its allies alliance secured 49 seats allowing him to be nominated to be the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah met with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on 11 October was sworn in as Chief Minister on 16 October 2024.

File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil viewing the LOC in a in a forward area of Rajouri, J&K on October 09, 2009.jpg|Abdullah with the PoI Pratibha Patil, J&K Governor N.N. Vohra and Indian Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor at the LOC near Rajouri on 9 October 2009. File:Manmohan Singh being welcomed by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah, at Jammu Airport, in Jammu and Kashmir on March 04, 2011. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri N. N. Vohra is also seen.jpg|Abdullah welcomes PM Manmohan Singh on his arrival at Jammu airport in 2011. File:The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari with the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah, during his visit to Dachigam National Park, in Srinagar on September 16, 2012.jpg|Abdullah drives VP Hamid Ansari in a golf cart at Srinagar, 2012.

Detention

On the intervening night of 4 and 5 August 2019, Omar Abdullah was placed under preventive detention by the Indian Government under Section 107 of the CRPC. This came as a backdrop to the government's decision of scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which gave the state of Jammu & Kashmir semi-autonomous powers.

After the expiry of the six-month detention without any charges, Abdullah was again charged and detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) which was later revoked on 24 March 2020.

"The capacity of the subject to influence people for any cause can be gauged from the fact that he was able to convince his electorate to come out and vote in huge numbers even during peak of militancy and poll boycotts," the government dossier continues.

Abdullah's sister, Sara Abdullah Pilot has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging Abdullah's detention calling it "wholly antithetical to a democratic polity and undermines the Indian Constitution" and asking that the SC secure Abdullah's release.

The petition also includes a habeas corpus for Abdullah to be produced before the Supreme Court.

On 10 February 2020, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner Sara Abdullah Pilot, mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Justice N V Ramana.

On 14 February 2020, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Jammu & Kashmir administration and set the next date of hearing as 2 March 2020.

On 24 March 2020, Omar Abdullah was released from detention. Following his release, he demanded other people held under detention be released as well.

Notes

References

References

1. "Omar Abdullah To Take Oath As Jammu And Kashmir Chief Minister On October 16".
2. (14 October 2002). "Omar Abdullah resigns from Union Cabinet". [[rediff.com]].
3. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090211120846/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/omar-abdullah-not-just-another-political-scion/81999-30.html Omar Abdullah not just another political scion] ''[[CNN-IBN]]'', 5 Jan 2009.
4. link. (30 January 2011 ''[[NDTV]], Monday, 5 January 2009 2:01 PM.'')
5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20111216173135/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-01-05/india/28025216_1_omar-abdullah-nc-legislature-stadium-in-jammu-university Omar Abdullah to be sworn in as J&K CM today] ''[[Times of India]]'', 5 January 2009.
6. [http://www.the-south-asian.com/Nov2001/Omar%20Abdullah.htm Omar Abdullah] www.the-south-asian.com, November, 2001
7. (5 October 2009). "CEC, Omar Abdullah attend Sanawar school celebrations". [[The Hindu]].
8. "Members : Lok Sabha".
9. Nelson, Dean. (26 October 2013). "The only way is Kashmir for Essex boy ruling world's most volatile state". The Telegraph.
10. Bhandare, Namita. (9 January 2009). "Omar Abdullah: a new son over the valley". Live Mint.
11. (16 January 2009). "Living on his own terms". [[Hindustan Times]].
12. (15 February 2011). "After 17 years, Omar Abdullah, wife part for good". [[DNA India]].
13. (15 September 2011). "Omar confirms split from wife". [[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]].
14. "Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announces separation from wife Payal Nath".
15. (27 February 2015). "In pics: The Omar and Payal Abdullah years". [[News18]].
16. Nairita. (2011-09-15). "JK CM Omar Abdullah confirms Divorce but not Marriage". News Oneindia.
17. (2011-09-15). "Omar Abdullah divorcing wife after 17 years". [[The Times of India]].
18. (2011-09-15). "Omar Abdullah divorcing wife after 17 years". Indian Express.
19. (30 August 2024). "Supreme Court asks Omar Abdullah, estranged wife to appear for mediation".
20. "Sachin Pilot and Sara Abdullah 'divorced', reveals poll affidavit".
21. (11 June 2008). "Apoorva gets lookalikes!". [[The Times of India]].
22. (2008-07-24). "Director Apoorva Lakhia on Mission Istanbul". Rediff.com.
23. "Abdullah, Shri Omar". sansad.in.
24. 1-57607-712-8. ''Page 1.''
25. (10 October 2002). "Omar loses Ganderbal, NC prepares to sit in Opposition". ExpressIndia.com.
26. "Omar Abdullah's visit to Pakistan".
27. [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/339280.html Give us a voice, says NC’s Omar Abdullah, floors House with own] {{webarchive. link. (4 August 2008 ''[[Indian Express]]'', 23 July 2008.)
28. [http://www.ciol.com/News/News-Reports/Omar-Abdullah-wins-many-fans-on-YouTube/24708108286/0/ Omar Abdullah wins many fans on YouTube] {{webarchive. link. (26 July 2008 News, 24 July 2008.)
29. [http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/05162959/Omar-Abdullah-to-go-Kalam-way.html Omar Abdullah to go Kalam way on internet] ''[[Mint (newspaper). Live Mint]]'', 5 January 2009.
30. (29 July 2015). "MLA Beerwah, Omar Abdullah during his visit to Beerwah on Wednesday.".
31. (2023-07-19). "Opposition alliance named 'INDIA', 11-member coordination committee to decide on all important issues". The Times of India.
32. Singh, Mritunjay. (September 2023). "Sharad Pawar, Tejashwi, Raghav Chadha Named In I.N.D.I.A's 13-Member Coordination Panel".
33. "2024 Election Results for Jammu and Kashmir".
34. (4 June 2024). "Jammu and Kashmir Election Results 2024 Highlights: National Conference, BJP win two seats each".
35. (2024-02-16). "NC will go solo in Lok Sabha elections, says Farooq; Omar later clarifies remark".
36. "Omar Abdullah clarifies: National Conference in talks with Cong for three Lok Sabha seats, is part of INDIA bloc".
37. (October 21, 2024). "Omar Abdullah Retains Ganderbal Assembly Seat, Resigns from Budgam Segment". Greater Kashmir.
38. [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200901061533.htm Kashmir pins hopes on young, energetic Omar Abdullah] ''[[The Hindu]]'', Tuesday, 6 January 2009: 1515 Hrs.
39. S Murari. (22 June 2009). "Kashmir in turmoil over suspected rape and murder". Asian Tribune.
40. (2024-10-08). "Omar Abdullah to be CM of Jammu and Kashmir as NC alliance crosses halfway mark".
41. "Omar Abdullah to become new Jammu and Kashmir CM".
42. "NC-Congress alliance stakes claim to form govt; Omar Abdullah likely to take oath on Oct 16".
43. Bhat, Sunil. (5 December 2019). "NC demands immediate release of Farooq and Omar Abdullah".
44. Masoodi, Nazir. (February 7, 2020). "Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti Charged Under Public Safety Act". [[NDTV]].
45. Masoodi, Nazir. (February 9, 2020). "Omar Abdullah's Twitter Clout Behind Tough New Charge: Government Dossier". [[NDTV]].
46. Raina, Muzaffar. (February 10, 2020). "Charge: Omar got voters to defy boycotts". [[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]].
47. Masood, Bashaarat. (February 10, 2020). "PSA file indicts Omar Abdullah for getting people to vote, refers to Mehbooba Mufti as 'Daddy's girl'". [[Indian Express]].
48. Ashiq, Peerzada. (February 10, 2020). "Omar Abdullah used politics to cover his radical ideology: Public Safety Act dossier". [[The Hindu]].
49. Haidar, Suhasini. (February 10, 2020). "Omar Abdullah's sister moves SC challenging his detention under PSA". [[The Hindu]].
50. (February 10, 2020). "Omar Abdullah's Sister Files Petition in Supreme Court Against His Detention Under PSA". [[The Wire (India).
51. Emmanuel, Meera. (February 10, 2020). "[Breaking] Detention of Omar Abdullah under Public Safety Act challenged in Supreme Court by sister, Sara Pilot".
52. (February 10, 2020). "Omar Abdullah's sister moves SC challenging his detention under PSA". [[Livemint]].
53. (February 14, 2020). "J-K leader Shah Faesal booked under Public Safety Act". [[NDTV]].
54. Krishnan, Murali. (February 14, 2020). "Supreme Court issues notice to Jammu and Kashmir to respond to Sara Abdullah's plea challenging brother Omar's detention". [[Hindustan Times]].
55. Ashiq, Peerzada. (2020-03-24). "Omar Abdullah calls for immediate release of others in preventive detention". The Hindu.