J&K Chief Minister Announces Signature Campaign for Statehood Restoration
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced a door-to-door signature campaign across all 90 assembly segments to demand the restoration of statehood. The move responds to a recent Supreme Court observation that the "ground situation" should be considered before restoring statehood. Abdullah stated that the collected signatures will be presented to the apex court to demonstrate public will, calling the current Union Territory governance structure "designed for failure." The campaign aims to challenge the 2019 constitutional change.
Unpacked:
In August 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Supreme Court cites recent security incidents, like the Pahalgam terror attack, and urges careful evaluation of the region's 'ground situation' before restoring statehood, emphasizing that security and stability must be considered first.
Supporters argue that prolonged Union Territory status weakens democratic representation, hampers development, and infringes on citizens’ rights. They also note that recent peaceful elections show stability, suggesting there are no major impediments to restoring statehood.
Critics claim Union Territory governance has caused developmental setbacks and eroded democratic rights. However, officials in the new government argue that public trust and infrastructure have improved over the past nine months, especially in healthcare and accountability.