The demolition of houses during the ongoing anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, along with a separate anti-encroachment drive in Jammu that sparked a political controversy this week, has once again brought the issue of statehood restoration into sharp focus.
The elected government has maintained that key decisions are being taken at the bureaucratic level without consulting the administration led by elected representatives.
Political parties across Jammu and Kashmir have consistently demanded the restoration of statehood since the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
This week, the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference said the “appropriate time” for restoration of statehood had arrived, asserting that people were “tired” of repeated assurances on the issue.
With demolition drives now taking place in both Jammu and Kashmir regions, the elected government has linked the controversy to the limited powers available under the existing Union Territory arrangement and renewed its demand for restoration of statehood.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the elected government had no role in the demolition drives and reiterated the demand for restoration of statehood. “As soon as they restore the status of our state, we guarantee that not even a single house will be allowed to fall,” Choudhary said.
Calling the demolitions unfortunate, he said the Centre had promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that statehood would be restored after the Assembly elections, expressing hope that it would fulfil its commitment soon.
Separately, a political storm erupted this week after an anti-encroachment drive led to the demolition of structures allegedly built on government land on the outskirts of Jammu city. The action triggered emotional scenes among locals, many of whom belonged to the Gujjar community.
The controversy intensified after Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Javed Ahmed Rana visited the site and ordered an inquiry into the anti-encroachment drive. Rana alleged that the demolitions were carried out in a “clandestine and unilateral” manner by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration without consulting the elected government or his ministry.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed several issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including the restoration of statehood.
A senior National Conference leader said the existing dual power structure in the Union Territory had curtailed the authority of the elected government.
“The bureaucracy reports to the Lieutenant Governor, and many decisions are being taken at the officers’ level without taking the government into confidence. We are waiting for the restoration of statehood so that governance can function effectively,” the leader said.
