The credibility of Modi govt depends on fulfilling its promise to restore statehood to J&K: Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to Karan Thapar for The Wire.
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August the 5th was seven years since the abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s loss of statehood. Whilst most people have accepted that the abrogation is irrevocable, the Modi government has promised that statehood will be restored at the earliest. That was said to the Supreme Court three years ago but the government has failed to live up to its commitment. So today we ask how strong is the case for full statehood? And does the Union Government’s argument against it hold water? My guest is the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah.
Chief Minister Abdullah refutes at length the claim that statehood cannot be restored until terror is eradicated. This is a particularly forceful part of the interview and the arguments he makes are convincing and need to be heard from him directly.
In the interview, Chief Minister Abdullah also speaks in detail about how the Lieutenant Governor’s control of the administration, the police and many ministries has undermined the powers and effectiveness of his government. This will come as a surprise, if not a shock, to many people. Again, you should hear this for yourself.
Chief Minister Abdullah also speaks about the disappointment people in Kashmir feel about the loss of their statehood. He says his own credibility has suffered because he genuinely believed that if he established an amicable relationship with the Union Government it would facilitate the restoration of statehood. But despite his best efforts that has not happened.
I will stop there. This is a very forceful, powerful and informative interview. If you want to understand the position of the government of Jammu and Kashmir, not just vis-à-vis the Union Government and the issue of statehood but also in terms of the powers it has and how it is stymied by the Governor, then this is an interview you should see.
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