J&K CM to Launch Signature Campaign for Statehood; Oppn Reacts
In a bold move to assert the demand for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced plans to launch a door-to-door signature campaign across the state. The campaign, which is expected to start soon, aims to gather public support and pressure the government to grant statehood to the state. However, the opposition has reacted strongly to the move, terming it as “theatrics” and questioning its legal and constitutional validity.
On Independence Day, CM Omar Abdullah delivered a speech in which he announced the signature campaign, stating, “Till now, through letters…and meetings, we’ve raised our voice. Now we’re going to raise our voice from every village of J&K to Delhi.” The move is seen as a significant escalation of the demand for statehood, which has been a long-standing issue in the state.
The opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir have been vocal in their criticism of the CM’s move. They argue that signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity and are a gimmick to garner public attention. “Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity. This is just an exercise to show off and earn brownie points,” said a senior leader of the opposition party.
Another opposition leader added, “The CM should instead focus on resolving the issues faced by the people of the state, rather than indulging in such theatrics.” The opposition parties have also accused the CM of being insensitive to the concerns of the people and using the campaign as a means to deflect attention from his government’s failures.
The signature campaign is expected to be a massive exercise, with CM Omar Abdullah himself leading the charge. The campaign will involve door-to-door visits by the CM and his team to gather signatures and build public support for the statehood demand. The signatures will then be forwarded to the Centre, along with a petition, demanding that the state be granted statehood.
The opposition parties have also questioned the timing of the campaign, which comes ahead of the assembly elections in the state. “The CM is trying to use the signature campaign as a means to gain political mileage ahead of the elections,” said a senior opposition leader. “But we will not be swayed by such tactics and will continue to raise our voice against the Centre’s policies.”
The statehood demand has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir for decades. The state has been a disputed territory since India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947, with both countries claiming sovereignty over the region. The state has been under the Centre’s rule since 1953, with the Centre appointing governors and administrators to govern the state.
The demand for statehood has been strengthened in recent years, with the state’s residents calling for greater autonomy and self-governance. The state’s Chief Minister has been at the forefront of the demand, meeting with Union Home Minister and other senior officials to push for statehood.
In recent months, the state has witnessed widespread protests and demonstrations, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand statehood. The protests have been largely peaceful, but have led to some clashes between protesters and security forces.
The Centre has been reluctant to grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, citing the state’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. The article gives the state special powers and autonomy, which the Centre has been hesitant to dilute.
In conclusion, the signature campaign launched by CM Omar Abdullah is a significant development in the state’s quest for statehood. While the opposition has reacted strongly to the move, the campaign is expected to build public support and pressure the Centre to grant statehood to the state.
However, the opposition’s criticism of the campaign is valid, and the CM would do well to focus on resolving the issues faced by the people of the state rather than indulging in theatrics. The Centre’s reluctance to grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is also a major concern, and the state’s residents are likely to continue to demand greater autonomy and self-governance until their demands are met.
