On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described his office as one of “disempowerment”. He emphasized the challenges he faces in leading a Union Territory with diminished powers compared to what he experienced previously as Chief Minister of a fully empowered state.
During an event organized by a prominent national newspaper, Abdullah delivered a forthright critique of Jammu and Kashmir’s current administrative structure. He expressed concerns over frequent interventions from the Lieutenant Governor’s office and reiterated his demand for a clearly defined timeline for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah found it “very difficult” to accept the terms “Union Territory” and “Jammu and Kashmir” together. He stated, “I hate being reminded that we are a Union Territory,” noting that during his previous tenure, officials did not emphasize the word ‘State’ as they do now.
He alleged that an “asymmetrical” distribution of power continues to challenge governance in the region. Abdullah pointed out that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha holds responsibilities that traditionally align with elected officials, such as chairing the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation meetings and convening tourism meetings in places like Gulmarg.
“What business does someone responsible for security have holding a tourism meeting?” Abdullah questioned, reflecting on the confusion surrounding power dynamics in the region.
Abdullah criticized the appointment of an IAS officer to a position designated for the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS), stating it strips the elected government of essential control over departments like the Information Department. He highlighted that several key decisions, including modifying reservation percentages, remain pending with the Lieutenant Governor, clearly indicating a problematic power imbalance.
As the conversation shifted to the much-debated topic of statehood restoration, Abdullah reminded the Centre of the three-step process it had introduced: delimitation, elections, and statehood. He insisted, “Two steps are complete. Why are we made to wait for the third?” His call emphasizes a demand for transparency regarding what the government deems an “appropriate time” for statehood restoration.
“If it is when the BJP comes to power, then be honest so people can decide,” Abdullah asserted, challenging the Centre to provide a clear timeline.
On the matter of restoring Article 370, Abdullah asserted that it could only happen after a change of government at the Centre. He made it clear that expecting those who revoked the article to reinstate it now would be futile. Abdullah committed to advocating for special status but cautioned against making unrealistic promises.
Abdullah raised concerns about rising radicalization, attributing it to “hyper-nationalism” and punitive measures taken against communities. He pointed to controversial practices such as demolishing homes after terror attacks, questioning the rationale behind punishing innocent families and communities.
“You demolished houses after the Pahalgam attack only to later find there was no Kashmiri involvement. If people become radicalized, whose fault is it?” he asked, emphasizing the need for responsible governance.
He also referred to recent disputes linked to sports team selections and medical college admissions, where the majority of successful candidates faced scrutiny due to their Muslim identity. Abdullah warned, “When you push an entire community to the margins, how can you expect no reaction?”
In terms of national politics, Abdullah described the INDIA bloc as often being in the “ICU” or “ventilator support”, acknowledging that critical issues such as Article 370 are currently sidelined. He defended Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the issue, stating that raising contentious points might hinder electoral success at present.
Diverging from his father Farooq Abdullah’s views, Omar opposed allegations of EVM manipulation. Instead, he proposed a more introspective approach by suggesting that the party should acknowledge its defeats and learn from them, citing constituency delimitation as the real cause for electoral challenges.
In his address, Abdullah also touched on pressing environmental issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir, such as pollution and prolonged dry spells. He pointed out that the valley’s unique geography traps smog, impacting residents’ health and well-being.
Abdullah corrected the notion that tourism remains the principal economic driver of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that tourism ranks fourth after agriculture, horticulture, and industry in terms of contributing to the Gross State Domestic Product.
