Statehood Sparks Political Storm in Jammu & Kashmir: From Pahalgam to Parliament
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 24 July 2025
A Political Volcano Rumbles in the Valley
As Jammu & Kashmir completes nearly six years without full statehood, the chorus for its restoration is reaching a boiling point. With emotions still raw after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and administrative paralysis plaguing the region, political leaders, civil society, and legal activists are uniting in a rare moment of convergence: Statehood is no longer a demand—it’s a constitutional necessity.
From Srinagar’s streets to Delhi’s corridors of power, a political storm is gathering—and it has the potential to redefine India’s federal structure.
What’s Fueling the Tensions?
01. April’s Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Security and Political Flashpoint
The April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, shook the Valley and the nation. While the government called it an act of “cross-border terrorism,” opposition leaders held the Union government accountable, citing intelligence failures and a breakdown in local-level security coordination.
This tragedy has become a rallying cry for those who argue that only a fully empowered local government can effectively address both developmental and security challenges.
02. Unfulfilled Promises After 2024 Assembly Elections
Following the Assembly elections in September 2024, many expected the Centre to restore full statehood as per earlier commitments. However:
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Legislative powers remain limited
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The Lieutenant Governor (LG) continues to wield administrative control
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Elected representatives, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, reportedly face operational hurdles due to dual governance
This constitutional ambiguity has triggered a wave of frustration among both leaders and the electorate, undermining public trust in democratic institutions.
The Dual Power Structure: Democracy in Name Only?
Elected CM vs. Appointed LG
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Omar Abdullah leads the elected government but lacks full executive authority.
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LG Manoj Sinha, appointed by the Centre, retains key powers over policing, land, and administrative services.
“This is not cooperative federalism. It’s controlled federalism,”
— Senior legal scholar on J&K’s post-election status
This parallel power model is being criticized as undemocratic and unsustainable, making governance inefficient and alienating voters.
Rising Voices: A Unified, Cross-Party Call for Statehood
Farooq Abdullah (NC): “We are not here to beg. Restore our statehood.”
In one of the most impassioned appeals, former CM Farooq Abdullah addressed a crowd in Baramulla, urging the “silent majority” to become the vocal vanguard of the movement.
He labeled the current structure a “mockery of democracy”, accusing the Centre of deliberately delaying full federal integration of J&K.
Congress: From Parliament to Protests
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Congress leaders staged demonstrations in Srinagar and Delhi.
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Senior MPs vowed to raise the issue in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
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They accused the Centre of running a “bureaucratic regime” that excludes the local mandate.
“If democracy is real, let the people decide and let their government govern,”
— Tariq Hameed Karra, J&K Congress President
Sajjad Kargili (Kargil Democratic Alliance):
A vocal critic of the J&K Reorganisation Act, Kargili called the 2019 bifurcation a betrayal and demanded its reversal.
His concerns reflect a broader discontent in Ladakh and Kargil, where people feel culturally, politically, and administratively sidelined.
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi (NC MP): “This is about India’s federalism.”
Framing the issue beyond J&K, NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi called the struggle a test case for the future of Indian democracy.
“If we don’t defend federalism in J&K, we will one day lose it in every other state,”
— Aga Ruhullah Mehdi
Legal & Civil Pushback: The Courts and Civil Society Respond
122 Ex-Bureaucrats Demand Action
In a landmark initiative, 122 retired IAS, IPS, and IFS officers signed a petition urging MPs to:
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Restore statehood to J&K
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Repeal the J&K Reorganisation Act
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Restore autonomy in administrative functioning
The petition was sent to all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, calling this a “democratic imperative, not a political favour.”
Legal Experts Suggest Constitutional Review
Many constitutional scholars argue that:
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Article 3 of the Constitution, which allowed the Centre to bifurcate J&K, shouldn’t override Article 1’s federal sanctity
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The Supreme Court’s delay in ruling on multiple J&K petitions creates a legal vacuum
There is growing demand for:
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A time-bound verdict on the Article 370 and Reorganisation Act challenges
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Legal clarity on the status and limits of the LG’s powers
What’s Next? A Regional Demand Becomes a National Debate
With the Monsoon Session of Parliament approaching, Congress and regional allies in the INDI Alliance are expected to:
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Introduce a private member’s bill for statehood restoration
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Push for a parliamentary debate on governance in J&K
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Highlight the issue in national media to build public opinion
Meanwhile, youth leaders, student groups, panchayat members, and trade bodies are joining the call for statehood, making it one of the most unifying causes across political and community lines.
Editorial Perspective: Statehood Is Not a Favour—It’s a Constitutional Right
The ongoing political storm in J&K isn’t just about a geographical boundary or an administrative label—it’s about:
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Restoring dignity to democratic processes
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Protecting India’s federal architecture
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Addressing governance failures with accountability
The Centre’s delay, whether strategic or bureaucratic, risks turning hope into disillusionment. If India’s democratic model is to remain credible, it must respect the will of the people—not just the convenience of politics.
“When governance bypasses democracy, both governance and democracy suffer.”
Recommendations for Policymakers
To de-escalate tensions and restore public faith:
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Set a timeline for full statehood restoration with legislative clarity.
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Hold local body elections, ensuring grassroots representation.
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Convene an all-party J&K dialogue, to build consensus across ideological divides.
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Publish a white paper on the administrative impact of dual power structure.
Bottom-Line: J&K’s Future Demands Political Courage, Not Political Calculation
As Jammu & Kashmir grapples with grief, frustration, and confusion, its leaders and citizens have made one thing clear: The time for promises is over—the time for restoration is now.
Whether or not Delhi listens may well determine not just the Valley’s political future, but the health of Indian democracy itself.
