Amid growing demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir following revocation of Article 370, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is trying hard to navigate a complex political scenario rife with dissent and disaffection.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was elected to power with much fanfare in October 2024. But the hoorahs have dimmed, and Abdullah now faces a catch twenty-two situation.
Delicate Balance, Complex Governance Structure
The governance structure of Jammu and Kashmir is more delicately balanced, and also more complex than Delhi and Puducherry. The elected government has limited legislative powers. With the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019 followed by a host of administrative orders issued by the Home Ministry of India which led to the transfer of key-powers to the union government. The order divested the elected government of major legislative and financial powers.
The complex political scenario has led to confusion among the masses. People were used to a different but very powerful governance module. The imbalance of power between Jammu and Kashmir and the central government is seen as an attempt for a centralized power structure, limiting the ability of the local government to address issues of public concern more effectively.
CM Omar Abdullah was elected to power with much fanfare in October 2024. The hoorahs have dimmed, and Abdullah now faces a catch twenty-two situation
Under the given political complexity, the accountability of the ruling elite is the immediate causality. Since October 2024, Abdullah can be seen treading with caution. He is avoiding any kind of friction with the central government, apparently trying to win the confidence of the Modi government. However, the inherent complexities could culminate into misadventures from either side in near future.
As of now, there is chaos. The elected representatives find it difficult to take on board the electorate, having too little in hand to address public concerns. Hence the confusion, since people were accustomed to a powerful governance structure having all powers to address issues of public concern.
Corruption, Nepotism
Among the Root Causes of Discontent in Jammu and Kashmir
Misuse or abuse of power by the successive regimes in Jammu and Kashmir marred with corruption, nepotism and favouritism is the premise on which the divesting of powers from Srinagar to New Delhi rests. It is widely acknowledged that corruption and misuse of power and public money was the reason behind disaffection among large sections of Kashmir society. Our hostile neighbour Pakistan exploited the situation to its advantage to foment trouble in the region.
Rampant corruption and nepotism had far-reaching consequences on the security of the region, which remained marred by violent conflict for over 30 years. Corruption was literally institutionalized by successive governments. It is known that corruption is a major threat to the security of a sensitive border region.
There is a perception that corruption, favouritism and cronyism maimed institutions, robbed citizens of their rights and opportunities while enabling the elites to thrive. A culture of impunity and mediocrity was created in Jammu and Kashmir, eroding the trust of the people in the system, and leaving the larger population disillusioned with the governance.
No Checks and Balances
The culture of nepotism and corruption was deliberately allowed to thrive in both bureaucratic and political structures. The privileged class ruled at the cost of the under-privileged majority. The BJP government at centre fully exploited the issue of corruption by the political elites of Kashmir. The narrative of the corrupt Kashmir elite resonated with the majority of the people in the country. The corruption and nepotism by Kashmir’s ruling elites was seen as one of the root causes of terrorism in this Himalayan region.
Even though corruption had serious implications on national security, the issue was brushed under the carpet for political reasons
Admittedly, the abrogation of Article 370 – by virtue of which the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed a unique constitutional position within the Union of India – was an ideological commitment of the right-wing BJP. Concurrently, the abuse of power by the Kashmir elites and its implications for national security gave reason to the Modi government to revoke the special constitutional arrangement, bifurcate the state into two union territories and directly rule the region through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It must be noted, though, that corruption is ingrained in the bureaucratic system of Jammu and Kashmir to the level that even direct rule by the Centre could not effectively deal with it. It was earlier practiced openly. Post abrogation of Article 370, corruption became surreptitious. The bureaucracy, under the garb of propagating the narrative of peace and normalcy, indulged in corrupt practices with impunity.
Major Strides in Infrastructure Development, Maintenance of Law and Order
Admittedly, infrastructural development got a major boost during the five years of central rule. Law and order witnessed huge improvement. Violence came down to zero during five years of central rule, and this was definitely an unparalleled achievement. Some improvement was witnessed in both social and infrastructural development during the five years of central rule which could not have been imagined earlier. Many appointments were made on merit, and this was greatly appreciated by the youths.
But in the power corridors, people observed that corruption and nepotism continued to remain a force to deal with.
Post Abrogation of Article 370, Corruption Became Surreptitious
Under central rule, nepotism and favouritism took another form. The bureaucratic system was seldom held accountable. Cherry-picking was allowed from top to bottom. In the race to secure plum postings, officers acted in the manner of more loyal than the king. The administration lost connect with the people, and it was like aliens ruling the alienated. The instruments of power continued to amass wealth, and nobody could raise the alarm bells fearing reprisal from the powerful bureaucracy.
Kashmir watchers have been arguing for a long time that the unprecedented corruption in Jammu and Kashmir was institutionalised by both state and the central governments. Last five years provide a clue that despite the fact that corruption had serious implications on national security, the issue was brushed under the carpet for political reasons.
Srinagar Smart City Project Scam Is Tip of an Iceberg
Despite the Centre’s complete control over the bureaucracy, the anti-corruption bureau and the police, corruption was unabated. The Srinagar Smart City project scam unearthed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau recently is just a tip of an iceberg.
The BJP government at the Centre rightly claimed credit for many revolutionary projects realised during the last five years. At the same time, it has to share the blame of not coming down hard on corrupt practices in Jammu Kashmir.
The Rider of ‘Appropriate Time’
Now when the elected government has completed three months in power, the narrative of corruption and nepotism seems to have lost relevance. Restoration of statehood cannot be the panacea for all problems. Jammu and Kashmir was the most powerful state in the Union of India before the events of 2019. Despite that, it ranked low on many social and developmental indices.
Neither full-fledged statehood nor the crippled union territory can change the destiny of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. What is required is real and genuine economic and social empowerment which can be achieved through equitable development, regional stability and equal opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Calibrated Statement on Restoration of Statehood
As for the restoration of statehood, the BJP government at centre has put the rider of “appropriate time” over this issue. This means that the restoration can be delayed for as long as the Centre wants. This calibrated statement, repeated by the Prime Minister and also the Home Minister, has political significance. I personally feel that the government has, as of now, no intentions to restore statehood.
The Supreme Court of India, too, has not shown any urgency towards early restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court had unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The court had also directed that assembly elections be held by September 2024 and emphasised that the state’s status should be restored “at the earliest.” However, the court did not give any deadline for the restoration. The statement of “appropriate time” is subservient to the will of the Modi government.
Restoration of Statehood Unlikely
Before Article 370 was removed from the statute book, it had been amended 47 times through presidential orders. Each time, the government had promised to repeal the order at “appropriate time”, which never happened.
As a student of politics, I am not certain about the restoration of statehood by the BJP government. Even if the nomenclature is presumably changed, it could be in the pattern of New Delhi and Puducherry. So, expecting miracles to happen is self-illusionary. The power dynamics may not see any groundswell alteration in the foreseeable future.
If Omar Abdullah plays the political game wisely, he can get as much as he can from Delhi for the people of J&K. Omar has to put in every possible effort to steer through the turbulent waters
Omar Abdullah has limited options. He should essentially understand the mandate. As elaborated in the November edition of Kashmir Central, the mandate was not for the Abdullahs. Both Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were not the favourites. It was a mandate against the BJP allies in Kashmir valley, and National Conference was the benefactor by default.
If Omar Abdullah realises this, he shall certainly try to be serious in the sense that he can carve out a respectable place for himself both in New Delhi and Srinagar. He can get as much as he can, for the people. Omar has to put in every possible effort to steer through the turbulent waters.
