Kashmir’s Lost Statehood And The Politics Of Control
According to the reports of September 28, the assembly of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) passed a non-binding resolution which endorsed the restoration of statehood. In 2000 and 2024 similar resolutions were passed by J&K assembly. Earlier few years ago, the Indian Supreme Court upheld the revocation of article 370 thus ending its special status but ordered New Delhi to arrange elections in J&K.
The opposition members of Bharataya Janata Party (BJP) condemned September 28 resolution terming it detrimental to national interests. But, Omar Abdullah, who heads occupied J&K and had moved that resolution termed demand for granting statehood as the legitimate right and urged upon the Indian government for “the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir”. BJP members in J&K assembly not only termed that resolution against national interest but also unconstitutional. Although, the resolution of 2000, 2004 and 2026 are non-binding but by demanding complete statehood for the Indian occupied J&K some degree of moral pressure may be exerted on New Delhi to reconsider its absorption of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh into the fold of Indian union. But, if BJP thinks that September 28 resolution demanding complete statehood for J&K is a violation of constitution it can approach the Supreme Court for annulling that resolution.
What will be the implications of passing non-binding resolution for granting full statehood on J&K’s association with the Indian Union? Will BJP take a stand against that resolution and how Omar Abdullah Chief Minister of Indian occupied J&K and his party will react to BJP’s walk out in the assembly and its opposition to that resolution? It seems fresh conflict in J&K has emerged after the passing of September 28 resolution which reflects that Muslim majority Valley of Kashmir is not in a mood to further tolerate its subjugation by New Delhi and the deployment of more than half a million Indian security forces.
Surprisingly, contrary to past practices and rules, the bureaucracy of J&K........
