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The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to be dominated by the issue of statehood restoration, with the recent resolution passed by the J&K Cabinet reigniting the debate. The resolution, which was passed during the first cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, aims to urge the central government to restore statehood to the Union Territory. This move comes as a significant development, especially considering the complex history surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories in 2019.
However, the resolution has not been met with unanimous support. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a key political force in J&K, has criticized the resolution, labeling it as a mere “ratification” of the abrogation of Article 370. Waheed Para, a PDP leader, pointed out that the resolution does not address the issue of Article 370 itself and merely seeks the restoration of statehood, a stance which he believes contradicts the party’s promise of restoring Article 370 during the recent elections. This criticism highlights the deep divisions within the J&K political spectrum regarding the approach to the issue of Article 370 and its impact on the region’s identity and autonomy.
The BJP, the ruling party at the national level, has also responded to the resolution, branding it a “political stunt” by Omar Abdullah. Sunil Sethi, BJP spokesperson in J&K, emphasized that the central government has already committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate time and questioned the need for such a resolution. This response underscores the BJP’s stance that the decision regarding statehood restoration rests solely with the central government and that the J&K Cabinet resolution is a mere political maneuver with limited impact.
The resolution passed by the J&K Cabinet has thrust the issue of statehood restoration back into the national discourse. It has triggered a heated debate among various political players, with the PDP and the BJP expressing divergent views on the matter. While the resolution may serve as a symbolic gesture, it remains unclear what impact it will have on the central government’s decision-making process. The ongoing legal challenges in the Supreme Court, where petitions seeking time-bound restoration of statehood are being considered, further add complexity to the issue.
The resolution has also raised questions about the future of J&K’s political landscape. The decision to seek statehood restoration through a cabinet resolution rather than through the Assembly has been criticized by Sajad Lone, chief of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference, who argued that the Assembly is the appropriate platform for addressing such critical issues. This debate further highlights the underlying tension between the desire for greater autonomy and the need for stability and governance in the region.
Source: Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet Passes Resolution On J&K Statehood, PDP Reminds Him Of Article 370 Promise