SRINAGAR: In a significant political move, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has passed a resolution urging the Central Government to restore statehood to the region. However, the resolution notably excluded any mention of Article 370, a point of contention for the opposition.
The resolution, which was passed during the Cabinet’s inaugural meeting on Thursday, called for the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, a status that was revoked in August 2019 when the region was bifurcated into two Union Territories—Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh—following the abrogation of Article 370. The move comes amidst continued political efforts to address the region’s governance and autonomy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to travel to New Delhi in the coming days to personally deliver the resolution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging swift action on restoring statehood. The Cabinet meeting, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and several ministers, focused on the need to prioritise the restoration of statehood.
Congress JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra reiterated his party’s position that they would not participate in the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet until statehood is restored, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the issue. Karra’s remarks reflect the ongoing debate about the region’s future, with many political leaders divided on the approach.
National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah, addressing the restoration of statehood, expressed optimism that the Government of India would take action soon. He noted that the Supreme Court had agreed to hear a petition on the restoration of statehood within the next two months. “We have discussed this before, and I am confident that the Centre will restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
However, when questioned about the absence of a resolution on Article 370—the constitutional provision that granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomy before it was revoked—Farooq Abdullah indicated that further legal discussions would be needed. He suggested that the matter may have to return to the courts for additional deliberation before it could be formally raised in the Assembly.
The omission of any discussion on Article 370 drew swift criticism from opposition leaders. Waheed Parra, a senior leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), took to social media to voice his disapproval. In a tweet, Parra stated, “Omar Abdullah’s first resolution on statehood is nothing less than ratification of the August 5th, 2019 decision. No resolution on Article 370 and scaling down the demand to mere statehood is a huge setback, especially after seeking votes on the promise of restoring Article 370.” Parra’s remarks reflect the frustration of many within the political landscape who believe the NC had previously committed to pushing for the restoration of Article 370.
During a visit to Lal Chowk, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also addressed public concerns about governance, promising to put an end to VIP culture on the roads. “There will be no more sirens that irritate the ears of the public. Everyone is equal here, whether locals or politicians; there are no VIPs,” Abdullah assured the gathered crowd.
The restoration of statehood remains a deeply contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with political factions divided over whether the focus should be on regaining statehood or pushing for the reinstatement of Article 370. While today’s resolution marks a step toward addressing Jammu and Kashmir’s status, the exclusion of Article 370 from the conversation indicates that the region’s political landscape will remain volatile in the months to come.
