J&K CM to Launch Signature Campaign for Statehood; Oppn Reacts
In a bold move to reiterate the demand for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced that he will launch a door-to-door signature campaign to gather support from the people of the state. The campaign, which is expected to begin soon, aims to collect signatures from every village in Jammu and Kashmir, which will then be sent to the Centre in Delhi.
In his Independence Day speech, CM Abdullah emphasized the need for a more direct and vocal approach in demanding statehood for the region. “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,” he said. This move is seen as a significant escalation of the state government’s efforts to push for statehood, which has been a long-standing demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the opposition has reacted sharply to the announcement, questioning the efficacy and legitimacy of the signature campaign. “Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity,” said a senior opposition leader, criticizing the move. “Instead of indulging in theatrics, the Chief Minister should focus on addressing the real issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The opposition’s criticism is centered around the fact that signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional basis to support the demand for statehood. According to the opposition, the campaign is nothing more than a publicity stunt aimed at diverting attention from the real issues facing the state.
Despite the opposition’s skepticism, CM Abdullah remains committed to the campaign, believing that it will help to galvanize public support and put pressure on the Centre to grant statehood. “We are not doing this for show,” said the Chief Minister. “We are doing this because we believe that every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir has a right to be heard and to have their voices counted.”
The demand for statehood has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir for decades, with the state government arguing that it is necessary to give the people of the state greater autonomy and representation in the Centre. However, the Centre has consistently refused to grant statehood, citing the unique constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
The signature campaign is seen as a way to bypass the Centre and directly petition the people of India for support. By gathering signatures from every village in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government hopes to demonstrate the widespread support for statehood and put pressure on the Centre to reconsider its stance.
The opposition, however, remains unconvinced. “The Chief Minister is trying to mislead the people of Jammu and Kashmir by saying that this campaign will help to achieve statehood,” said an opposition leader. “In reality, it will only serve to divide the people of the state and create further uncertainty and confusion.”
As the debate over the signature campaign continues, it remains to be seen whether it will have any impact on the Centre’s stance on statehood. While the campaign may not have legal or constitutional sanctity, it is clear that it has captured the imagination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has become a rallying cry for those demanding greater autonomy and representation.
Whether the campaign will ultimately succeed in achieving its goal of statehood remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the debate over Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status is far from over, and the signature campaign is just the latest chapter in a long and complex saga.
