Will Move SC Over J&K Statehood Restoration Delay: Farooq Abdullah
The ongoing political stalemate in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a new turn, with National Conference President Farooq Abdullah warning the Centre that his party will approach the Supreme Court if there is an inordinate delay in the restoration of statehood to the now Union Territory. In a recent statement, Abdullah emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for their issues to be resolved, and the delay in statehood restoration is only adding to their frustration.
Abdullah’s warning comes at a time when the Centre has been dragging its feet on the issue of statehood restoration, citing various reasons such as the ongoing political situation in the region and the need for a comprehensive review of the situation before making any decision. However, this lack of clarity has only led to growing discontent among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are demanding immediate restoration of statehood.
In his statement, Abdullah said, “After the elections, people wanted their issues to be resolved immediately, but statehood (not being restored) is stopping us. We will go to the Supreme Court if there is an inordinate delay.” This threat from Abdullah is significant, as it indicates that the National Conference is willing to take the matter to a higher forum if the Centre fails to respond to their demands.
The issue of statehood restoration has been a contentious one since the Centre scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, in August 2019. The move was followed by the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. While the Centre has maintained that the decision was necessary to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country, the people of the region have been demanding the restoration of their statehood.
Abdullah’s warning is not just a hollow threat, as the National Conference has been at the forefront of the demand for statehood restoration. The party has been leading the opposition to the Centre’s move to scrap Article 370 and has been vocal about the need to restore the region’s special status. Abdullah’s statement is a reflection of the party’s resolve to continue fighting for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre’s reluctance to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not without its reasons. The government has been concerned about the potential fallout of such a move, including the possibility of separatist elements in the region using the issue to further their own agendas. Additionally, the Centre has been keen to avoid any move that could be perceived as a concession to separatist elements or a deviation from its stated policy of integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
However, the Centre’s reluctance to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this issue is only exacerbating the situation. The delay in statehood restoration is not only frustrating the people of the region but is also creating uncertainty about the future of the region. The National Conference’s threat to approach the Supreme Court is a reflection of the growing frustration among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are demanding immediate action from the Centre.
In conclusion, Farooq Abdullah’s warning to the Centre is a reflection of the growing discontent among the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the delay in statehood restoration. The National Conference’s threat to approach the Supreme Court is a significant development, as it indicates that the party is willing to take the matter to a higher forum if the Centre fails to respond to their demands. The Centre would do well to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this issue and address their concerns in a meaningful way, rather than dragging its feet and risking further unrest in the region.
