J&K Sees Surge In Statehood Rumours On Aug 5 Eve

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Rumours of Jammu and Kashmir regaining statehood have intensified after a series of high-level meetings in Delhi, including back-to-back engagements between President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The developments come a day ahead of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, and have set off a storm of speculation on social media. PM Modi's meeting with President Murmu on August 3, which was not followed by the usual PIB statement, has particularly drawn attention. Hours later, Shah also met the President in a one-on-one interaction.

Reports said that Shah has been holding a string of meetings with political stakeholders from J&K, including BJP's UT chief Ravinder Raina and Shia leader Imran Raza Ansari. PM Modi also called a key meeting of NDA MPs on Tuesday.

The flurry of meetings in Delhi's power corridors has not gone unnoticed. Retired Army officer and author Lt Gen (Retd) K.J.S. Dhillon, in a post on X, said,“There's a lot of speculation about what may be announced on August 5... Let's not rush into any hasty decision.”

Journalist Aarti Tikoo Singh echoed concerns about the Centre's reported move, even hinting at speculation around bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two separate states - an idea she termed disastrous.

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“What's even more bizarre is that rumor mills are suggesting that Kashmir and Jammu will be separated and reorganized into two separate states. If either is true, nothing could be more disastrous,” Tikoo wrote.

Amid the growing buzz, NC chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday questioned the Union government over the delay in restoring statehood to the Union Territory.

“When are they going to return to statehood?” Farooq asked, recalling that the BJP had promised restoration once elections were held.“They said that the minute you have elections and the government is formed, the statehood will be restored. What has happened to that?” he said.

He also questioned the delay in holding Rajya Sabha elections from J&K, saying,“Now they are saying that they will hold elections in two vacant assembly seats, but what about elections to four seats in the Rajya Sabha? Why are they denying people the right to get to that House to speak of their problems?”

BJP General Secretary Ashok Koul on Monday said the party would congratulate everyone if the Union government grants back the status.

“If statehood is restored, we congratulate everyone,” Koul said.

He however said he has no information if the statehood would be restored.“The PM and HM have already said that statehood would be restored but I don't know when,” he said, responding to unconfirmed reports suggesting that the Centre might announce the restoration of statehood on the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.

Commenting on J&K leaders meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Koul said it was a positive step.“It is good they are meeting since he is everyone's Home Minister,” he added.

The demand for restoring statehood has been simmering since August 5, 2019, when the erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Since then, PM Modi and Shah have promised its restoration“at an appropriate time” but without a fixed timeline.

In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 but directed the Centre to restore statehood“at the earliest”. Though the Centre agreed in principle, no formal announcement has followed.

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