Time to restore statehood to J & K

Presently, the central government is facing numerous challenges. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is attempting to oust Gyaneshwar Kumar from leadership! Internationally, there are no troublesome situations that push India into more isolation, but one can say the current developments are certainly not as smooth as before at home.

The NDA coalition is facing a tough challenge, as the INDIA coalition, under Rahul Gandhi, is cobbling together small parties for a grand effort inside Parliament and beyond. Yet the results do not match their tagline ‘Bharat Jitega’. Still, the alliances across the country are rising in the streets to push Gyaneshwar Kumar to resign. Delhi is watching closely! In such circumstances, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong leader, faces the pressing need to tidy up the house after nearly a decade. There is a renewed push from the leaders within J&K, to grant statehood, and they are bringing up another challenge. On September 28, the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly not only approved the resolution to restore statehood for their state but also sent it to the Centre as a demand, creating yet another intricate problem for the NDA government to deal with. Politicians, the media, and observers are keenly watching this development. Opposition parties are making strenuous efforts to shape this issue to their advantage.

Seven years have passed since Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory. Previously, the state of J&K was divided into two union territories and its special constitutional status, dating back 70 years, was stripped in 2019 to convert it into a UT. The Centre has said that by taking three steps it would restore statehood. Delimitation, elections, and the status of the state were clarified as part of that process. On this occasion, the proposal to restore statehood was supported by the two ruling parties with alliance ties—J&K National Conference (JKNC) and INC—CM, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and by opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party, J&K People’s Conference, Aam Aadmi Party, and Awami Ittehad Party.

Out of the 90 members in the Assembly, 29 members belonging to the BJP opposed it. The Supreme Court also expressed an opinion that statehood should be restored at the earliest. Modi also gave assurances that this would happen at the right time. However, those who strongly advocate democracy feel that the Centre is delaying the restoration of statehood. There is a view that the Centre shouldn’t have removed statehood, and that such a step has never occurred in the past; it would be better if the democratic-led Centre did not contemplate such an action and instead proceeded without undermining democracy.

In truth, the 2024 elections were very peaceful for the J&K leadership. After years of violent unrest and attacks, and the days when Kashmir was seen as a burning tinderbox, the elections saw an unprecedented turnout rate of 63.88 per cent, with voters resisting boycotting calls, signalling that our future India is indivisible. In such circumstances, there is a strong need, as promised by the Prime Minister, to restore statehood.

Omar Abdullah and Farook Abdullah are among the first to firmly believe that their party’s future is linked with India. When we observe the current situation in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), as well as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Baluchistan, it is clear to everyone that our country has guarded democracy and prevented it from collapsing, despite countless mistakes and vulnerabilities.

At a time when Modi has earned exceptional recognition for presenting a global, balanced perspective even in yesterday’s wars and for elevating our country’s values, there is no doubt that giving statehood back to J&K would further boost our national prestige.

Whenever opportunities arise, Pakistan’s militants continue to strike in our region. The “Sindoor” weapon test shows that we are not about to back down from such challenges. China has used Pakistan when it needed to, but China will not trample India like before. Russia, the United States, Israel, and the countries of West Asia are all grappling with conflicts. International experts recognise that if Indian foreign policy experts are targeted at international forums, India has nothing to fear; yet we will not pick unnecessary fights with any country, a stance that reflects India’s strengthened position and the reality we face.

In the 2024 elections, the wisdom shown by the people of Kashmir and the clear signals they sent indicate that the center should not betray their trust. It would be wise to restore the statehood of J&K, under the values of democracy and the promises given. The hardships Kashmiris have endured in the past should not be forgotten, and the central government must recognise the importance of implementing democratic processes and fulfilling its commitments. Moreover, there are signs that steps to implement the court’s verdict will be taken promptly.

In the Assembly elections, restoring a peaceful atmosphere and enabling voters to cast their ballots will bring great relief. When the J&K state government is elected by the people, it will engage with the centre to address the people’s issues, reflect national unity, and lay a strong foundation on the ground to resolve the Kashmir problem comprehensively.

Under Modi’s leadership, the NDA coalition government is achieving successes across all sectors. That is why the victory march in the elections is unstoppable. The Kashmir issue has long been a problem that has afflicted the nation since independence. Through the 2024 elections, the people of Kashmir have made it clear that they stand with India. To seize this opportunity, if the Prime Minister honours the pledge and restores statehood, Pakistan will have no room to retreat. The day is near when even Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will become a part of our country.

(The writer is a retired IPS officer, who has served as an Additional DGP of Andhra Pradesh)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ravulapati Seetaramarao

Ravulapati Seetaramarao