The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Cabinet has passed a resolution urging the Union Government to restore statehood to the region. The resolution, backed by the entire Cabinet, has received the necessary clearance from Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha. With this approval, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to visit New Delhi soon to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers to press the issue.
On Saturday, L-G Sinha also administered the oath of office to National Conference leader Mubarak Gul as the pro-tem Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly. The oath ceremony took place at Raj Bhawan, with several prominent figures in attendance, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and the Chief Minister’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani.
Mubarak Gul, who won the recent Assembly elections from the Eidgah constituency in Srinagar, will have the important responsibility of administering the oath to the newly-elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) on October 21. This marks a significant step in the ongoing political process in Jammu and Kashmir after the recent elections.
The resolution to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir was the top agenda item in the J&K Cabinet meeting chaired by Omar Abdullah on Thursday. The Cabinet unanimously passed the resolution, signaling a strong push for the restoration of statehood “in its original form.” After the Cabinet’s approval, the resolution was sent to L-G Sinha for his endorsement, as required under the transaction of business rules. According to these rules, all proposals for discussion by the Cabinet must be sent to the L-G at least two days before the meeting.
In a government statement issued on Saturday, the restoration of statehood was described as the beginning of a “healing process” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The restoration of statehood will be a beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement said.
The J&K Cabinet also empowered Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter of statehood restoration with the Prime Minister and the Union Government. This move aligns with the new government’s policy focus on protecting the unique identity and constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Protection of J&K’s unique identity and constitutional rights of people remains the cornerstone of the newly elected government’s policy,” the government added in its statement.
Despite the significant step taken by the government in pushing for statehood, the Omar Abdullah administration has faced criticism from opposition parties for focusing on statehood rather than advocating for the revocation of Article 370, which was revoked by the Indian government in 2019. Some opposition members have questioned why the statehood resolution was routed through the Cabinet rather than tackling the issue of Article 370 directly.
In response to these criticisms, government officials clarified that the matters of statehood and Article 370 fall under different jurisdictions. According to sources, “Article 370 is the purview of the legislature while statehood is the purview of the government. Hence, the statehood resolution has come first.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated this point in a tweet on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday morning, making it clear that the restoration of statehood is the first step in addressing the broader political situation in J&K.
Additionally, the J&K Cabinet made an important decision regarding the scheduling of the Legislative Assembly’s next session. It was decided that the Assembly will be summoned in Srinagar on November 4. The Cabinet also advised the Lieutenant Governor to address the Legislative Assembly at the start of this session, as is customary. The draft address for the L-G’s speech to the Assembly was presented to the Council of Ministers, who agreed that it would require further consideration and discussion before being finalized.
Mubarak Gul’s new role as pro-tem Speaker and his responsibility in swearing in the newly elected MLAs signifies another important development in the region’s political timeline. Gul, a prominent leader in the National Conference party, will oversee the ceremonial beginning of the Assembly’s work, marking a new phase in the political activities of Jammu and Kashmir post-election.
This move towards restoring statehood comes amid rising political expectations in the region following the elections, and it is a significant political statement from the newly elected government. The resolution signals the Abdullah administration’s intention to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy, which had been downgraded to a Union Territory following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. While the revocation of Article 370 remains a contentious issue, the restoration of statehood is seen as a crucial first step in addressing the aspirations of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
For Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his government, the next steps will be crucial. The upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Modi and other senior members of the Union Government will be vital in determining the course of action for the restoration of statehood. The resolution reflects the collective will of the J&K Cabinet, and now the Abdullah government must navigate the complexities of national politics to see this resolution through.
As the political situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Union Government will respond to the statehood resolution. The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be a significant shift in the region’s political status and could pave the way for further discussions on other pressing issues, including Article 370.
In the meantime, the focus will remain on the developments in Srinagar, where the newly elected MLAs are set to take their oaths and begin their legislative duties. The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir continues to evolve, with the resolution for statehood standing as a testament to the region’s desire for greater autonomy and constitutional rights. Whether this resolution leads to tangible changes in the region’s status remains to be seen, but it is undoubtedly a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to address the complex political and constitutional issues surrounding Jammu and Kashmir.
This political process, marked by the push for statehood restoration and the ceremonial beginning of the new Assembly, symbolizes a new chapter for Jammu and Kashmir as it continues to seek its place within the broader framework of Indian democracy. The Abdullah government’s efforts will be closely watched, both within the region and across the country, as they seek to bring about lasting change for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.