Omar, Mehbooba not serious on Statehood

Venkat Parsa I hyderabad

For most political parties in Jammu & Kashmir, Statehood demand is more of a slogan. Neither Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, nor his predecessor in office, Mehbooba Mufti, seem to be serious about the issue.

Perfunctorily, both National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, both of whom partnered with the BJP, keep referring to Statehood demand. This is more as lip-sympathy, than as serious political demand, merely to remain politically relevant in the Valley.

The principal political players in the Valley -- Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti -- had intimately teamed up with the BJP. As such, neither is now in a position to seriously voice the demand for Jammu & Kashmir Statehood, with the Modi Government.

Modi Roadmap

Prior to Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections in 2024, in a meeting with leaders of Jammu & Kashmir political parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave them a roadmap on the Statehood demand. First priority was completion of Delimitation process. This is to be followed by holding Assembly polls. After elected Government assumes charge, Statehood demand will be discussed.

Strangely, Omar Abdullah is unwilling to engage with Modi Government on Statehood demand. He never sought a meeting to comprehensively discuss the issue indepth and in detail.

Way back in December, 2023, Supreme Court gave direction to the Centre to restore Statehood of Kashmir at the earliest. Yet, Omar Abdullah is not willing to pursue the legal or the political line, with regard to Statehood.

Sangh pullback unlikely

For Sangh Parivar, too, it is not at all easy to let go its control on Kashmir. Union Territory status places Jammu & Kashmir totally under Modi Government control. All important subjects, including Land and Law & Order, are dealt with by the Centre. All powers are vested in Lieutenant-Governor, who directly functions under the Union Home Ministry.

For decades, the Jan Sangh-BJP was struggling hard for a foothold in Kashmir. National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah was the first to formally join hands with BJP in 1999, with his son Omar Abdullah joining Vajpayee Government at the Centre.

Omar Abdullah was first Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and later as Minister of State for External Affairs, till he returned for elections in Kashmir in 2002. Dr Farooq Abdullah, himself, was the first to introduce Atal Behari Vajpayee to the Valley during 1998-2002.

Jaitley breakthrough

However, for the BJP, real breakthrough came with Arun Jaitley, who, through a Delhi-based Kashmiri mediator, succeeded in contacting, and getting on board, the Separatists, to gain foothold in the Valley.

Finally, Mehbooba Mufti came on board, paving the way for BJP to come to power in the Valley in 2015. Initially, she made her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed the Chief Minister. After he passed away, Mehbooba, herself, assumed charge as Chief Minister in 2016. She remained in office till BJP's withdrawal of support and showing her the door, forcing her to step down from office in 2018.

Power came into the hands of Modi Government for six years with President's Rule, from 2018 to 2024; even after popular Government in the Valley, power vests in Lieutenant-Governor in Union Territory, functioning directly under Union Home Minister.

Having consolidated its position, BJP has set its sights on having its own Chief Minister, instead of riding piggyback on other parties. Leaders of smaller parties like Sajjad Lone could be brought on board. At a time when it is navigating its way through the politics in the Valley, BJP is in no hurry to take the decision.

Cong mooted dharnas

On October 16, 2014, the Congress invited Omar Abdullah to stage demonstrations for Statehood in the National Capital; a suggestion, he strangely acceded to, only two years later. The Congress is understood to have suggested to Omar Abdullah, soon after he returned to power in October, 2024, to take Oath as Chief Minister, but to link Cabinet-formation with restoration of Statehood. Again, ignoring a well-meaning suggestion, Omar Abdullah formed a full-fledged Government.

No Assembly resolution

What is more, Omar Abdullah did not pass Assembly Resolution on Statehood. Instead, the Statehood Resolution was adopted by Jammu & Kashmir on October 17, 2024, which was subsequently approved by Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor on October 19, 3024.

On November 6, 2024, Jammu & Kashmir Assembly passed Resolution moved, not by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, but by his Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary. A vaguely-worded resolution favoured dialogue on the restoration of Special Status and Constitutional Rights.

Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister Modi several times. No one knows what transpired behind closed doors.

Close to two years in office Omar Abdullah finally woke up, choosing to stage demonstration in Jantar-Mantar in Delhi; it got overshadowed by floods in Jammu &  Kashmir and students protests in Jantar-Mantar in Delhi. This demonstration, too, seemed less serious on intent, more intended for media consumption.

Till date, Omar Abdullah has an unflattering record. Neither Omar Abdullah, nor the National Conference leaders, did not as much as condemn Modi Government for not restoring Statehood. Terms used by National Conference leaders to describe Modi Government inaction on Statehood demand is "inordinate delay," or describing Modi Government phrase of decision at an appropriate time, with a benign “vague and timeless expression.”

Congress stand

AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmed Mir took part in the demonstration in Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi. During the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress staged a march to highlight its demand for restoration Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir.

Congress is demanding immediate reversal of the Union Territory status, without further delay. Complete Constitutional power should be vested in democratically-elected Government, rather than rule via an unelected Lieutenant-Governor. Constitutional safeguards for ensuring job security and land rights for local citizens. Strict adherence to Federal Structure and democratic norms, instead of delaying fulfillment of promises.

In a way, the Congress is the only party that has articulated comprehensive Kashmir Statehood demand. It may well be the party to restore Statehood. So, the wait may stretch till 2029, barring a miracle.