Jammu and Kashmir — the elusive quest for Statehood
Seven years on, J&K still awaits restored Statehood and accountable governance
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Context
An editorial analyses the situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) seven years after the abrogation of its special status under and the loss of its statehood in 2019. It argues that despite the Union government's claims of bringing peace and development, the region continues to experience terrorism, economic challenges, and a lack of democratic accountability under the rule of the Lieutenant-Governor.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
The abrogation of and the downgrading of J&K into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—via the fundamentally altered India's asymmetric federalism. The author argues that this was done through 'executive fiat' and 'legislative fiat' without consulting the state legislature, raising questions about the basic structure doctrine and federal principles. Furthermore, the continued rule by a Lieutenant-Governor, who possesses significant administrative and emergency powers under the 2024 Transaction of Business Rules, highlights a deficit in democratic accountability. The author emphasizes that an elected legislature is essential for ensuring accountability, oversight, and providing space for civil society, contrasting the current situation with the constitutional mandate for representative government.
Internal Security
A key justification for the 2019 actions was the eradication of terrorism and integration of the region. However, the editorial notes that violence persists, pointing to attacks in Pahalgam, Delhi's Red Fort, and the spread of militancy to previously dormant areas like Poonch-Rajouri. This challenges the effectiveness of a purely militaristic approach to counter-insurgency. The frequent use of preventive detention laws like the (PSA) and the (UAPA), along with mass summons and communications blockades, reflects a heavy-handed security posture. The author contends that such measures, while intended to maintain order, often breed alienation and disaffection, complicating long-term peacebuilding efforts.
Governance
The economic rationale for removing J&K's special status was to spur investment and growth. However, citing the J&K Economic Survey 2025-2026, the editorial highlights a decline in the region's per capita income relative to the national average and high unemployment rates, particularly among graduates. This indicates that the promised economic dividends have not materialized. Moreover, the prolonged imposition of 'emergency-like' conditions without formal declaration raises concerns about civil liberties and the misuse of draconian laws. The Supreme Court's directive to restore statehood 'as soon as possible' and the recent elections that brought the National Conference-Congress alliance to power underscore the pressing need to transition from centralized bureaucratic control to responsible, elected governance to address these developmental and social challenges.