Latest news with #Statehood
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Time is apt to restore J&K's Statehood
When one travels from Srinagar to Uri, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor (LG)'s overhaul of the region's challenging terrain is perceptible. His bureaucrats outline his main accomplishments: first, efficient transportation networks have facilitated better access to services, and tourism; and second, civilian killings and militant recruitment have considerably declined. The locals agree. Industrialists say the elimination of separatist infrastructure has allowed businesses to thrive. A section of the people appear to have moved on from the separatist discourse, but they do not explicitly admit it. They fear this would deflect from Kashmir's political questions, especially the need for a plausible political trajectory which remains elusive as New Delhi delays restoration of J&K's Statehood. Political uncertainty culminating in political premonition serves nobody's interest. It needs to be replaced by an optimistic vision for the future, drawing from compassionate terms of engagement between New Delhi and J&K. Handing over full executive powers to J&K's elected government is the first step. The Supreme Court (SC) in December 2023 recommended the restoration of J&K's Statehood but did not specify a deadline. Now is the apt time. Among many reasons is the urgency to not fritter the democratic participation that Kashmir Valley witnessed in last year's Assembly elections. A population reckoning with bureaucratic rule wanted to empower a regional leader. The people reposed faith in Omar Abdullah's capacity for calibrated navigation, hoping the National Conference (NC) would negotiate a respectable arrangement for J&K, at the least Statehood. New Delhi ought to engage with and empower a Chief Minister elected with a historic mandate. It is advisable to also engage with other regional players, especially former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and emerging young leaders such as Waheed Parra. The mainstream leaders' secular politics is Indian democracy's asset. Trying to scupper them by facilitating political proxies will be preposterous. Mr. Abdullah has shown political sagacity by repairing ties with New Delhi. But over a podcast recently, he lamented that he is unable to get work done as he has little authority over the officials. His presence merely as a custodian of status quo is causing dissatisfaction among the voters. It has also earned him accusations of pusillanimity, including from elements within his party, who are publicly advocating a more confrontationist course, significantly expanding their personal appeal. Mr. Abdullah could also animate his constituency with lofty sound-bytes, but he understands a collision course with New Delhi will not help J&K's case. Sources say Mr. Abdullah is hopeful that Statehood will be restored in August. Acknowledging the people's will even when the Union government has the power to perpetuate the LG's hegemony will generate far more political optimism than economic implements could alone. Only twice in history has Kashmir witnessed relative peace: from 1948 to 1952 when Jawaharlal Nehru empowered Sheikh Abdullah to effect social and economic overhaul; and from 1975 to 1984, following the Indira-Sheikh Accord to when Indira Gandhi toppled Farooq Abdullah's government. Clearly, 'peace' is contingent on harmonious relations between New Delhi and the State government. Recently, a daily in Kashmir reported that restoration of Statehood will be followed by fresh elections, as the previous elections were meant for a Union Territory. This created a furore in Srinagar. It is unlikely that there will be another Assembly election. But the lack of a political roadmap built on consensus is deepening public apprehension. Particularly alarming is the regional divide between Kashmir Valley and Jammu. An example of it was the mob violence in Jammu against a Kashmiri man accused of stealing. Such incidents underline the urgency of setting up a State Human Rights Commission and the SC-recommended Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In the foreseeable future, the BJP will remain the predominant force in Jammu, and the NC in Kashmir. The NC made a noble gesture by anointing its lone Hindu MLA, Surinder Choudhary, from Rajouri as the Deputy Chief Minister. It is the BJP's turn to reciprocate. Infiltration in Poonch and Rajouri is alarming. There is hardly time for procrastination. Anando Bhakto reports on Kashmir and national politics
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump threatens to take over DC during cabinet meeting
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Trump once again threatened to take over D.C. Since taking office in January, he's made similar comments on Air Force One and in the Oval Office over his disdain for D.C. But the threats continue to raise concerns for people who live in the District. 'We've had a good relationship with the mayor, and we're testing to see if it works,' Trump said. During Tuesday's cabinet meeting, President Trump was asked about the New York mayoral race. He spoke unfavorably about democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and pivoted to the District. 'If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same. But we have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to. I mean, we could run D.C.,' Trump said. The threat against New York and D.C. makes D.C.'s U.S. shadow Representative Oye Owolewa push harder for statehood. Rep. Oye Owolewa said, 'Just another Trump threat to our home rule and our self-autonomy. You know, when we fight for D.C. Statehood, it's not just about voting rights. It's our ability to essentially have control over our own lives, our budget, the way with a vote for our mayor, and things like that.' Trump said his chief of staff is working with Mayor Bowser. 'We don't want crime in D.C. We want this city to run well,' Trump said. 'Susie Wiles is working very closely with the mayor. They're doing alright, I mean in the sense that we would run it so good. It would be run so proper. We would get the best person to run it.' Owolewa says Congress is not interested in governing D.C. and being in charge of things like filling potholes and picking up trash. 'Although it's good to have a relationship with the White House and Congress, we have to stand up for our people,' Owolewa said. 'Whether we turn on Black Lives Matter or try to make concessions to the White House to make sure everyone's on the same page, we're seeing that they still have little regard for our own home rule and self-governance.' Mayor Bowser's Office declined to comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KTR accepts Revanth Reddy's ‘challenge' for debate on river water allocation, asks Telangana CM to decide venue in 72 hours
HYDERABAD Working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), K.T. Rama Rao, has accepted the 'challenge' thrown at the party (BRS) leadership by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at 'Samvidhan celebration' public meeting on Friday (July 4, 2025) for a debate on the issues pertaining to river water allocation and injustices to Telangana. 'Mr. Revanth Reddy can decide the venue of his choice for the debate at Kondareddypalle, Chintamadaka, Kodangal, Gajwel, Assembly or Ambedkar statue in the next 72 hours. Else, he could come to Press Club at 11 am on July 8 as I (KTR) would be waiting there for the debate', Mr. Rama Rao said addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday (July 5, 2025). 'I prefer Mr. Revanth Reddy to come for the debate as it would make things clear once for all or he could send his senior colleague. They could make ample preparation in the next 72 hours as issues related to water sharing are difficult to understand for the Congress leaders, while the BRS leaders lived with it all along the Statehood moved. I would personally come for the debate as BRS chief and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao would be too big for Mr. Reddy's level', the BRS working president said. Every Telanganite was aware as to what was the status of the farm sector in Telangana till 2014 and how it had transformed during 2014-23. He stated that several novel initiatives including increase in the irrigation facilities, free power for farming round-the-clock and timely supply of all other inputs by the BRS administration had made farming a celebration in Telangana and led the State to become top paddy producer in the country, displacing Punjab. Introduction of investment/input support, life insurance cover to every landholder and 24-hour free power supply to farming were the hallmark of BRS rule, as such interventions were made for the first time anywhere in the world. The Chief Minister Mr. Revanth Reddy was aware of everything but not ready to accept the reality and facts, Mr. Rama Rao said. Stating that denial of water for irrigation and drinking needs and power supply to farm sector along with discrimination in allocation of funds and jobs had led to the birth of the ultimate phase of the Statehood movement along, the BRS leader pointed out several failures and betrayal of promises made to the farming and other dependent sectors made in the name of Rythu Declaration and others, in detail. He said that Mr. Revanth Reddy too was fighting for water and funds but the only difference was that he was allowing Andhra Pradesh to illegally divert Godavari water to the non-basin areas in violation of the rights of Telangana within the basin in the name of Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) and sending funds to Delhi (Congress leadership).
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam attackers not locals; probably got shelter by ‘coercion': CM Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) that none of the attackers involved in the Pahalgam terror attack were locals, and those who allegedly provided shelter 'probably did so under duress.' 'There was no local involvement in the Pahalgam incident. The people who shot and killed those 26 persons were all outsiders,' Mr. Abdullah, who attended a function to promote tourism in Gulmarg, said. Referring to the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) recent arrests of two locals for harbouring the terrorists, Mr. Abdullah suggested that those arrested 'were forced to help under duress.' 'If they (locals) helped the attackers, it was not of their own will. Coercion in such situations cannot be ruled out,' he said. The Chief Minister urged the NIA 'not to draw sweeping conclusions.' 'We must not allow the actions of a few foreign militants to paint our people as collaborators,' Mr. Abdullah said. The NIA has arrested two locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, for their alleged role in providing shelter to the attackers in Pahalgam's Hill Park area. Meanwhile, Mr. Abdullah again pressed for restoration of Statehood to J&K. Underlining that Statehood belonged to the people and not the politicians, Mr. Abdullah said. 'It's people's constitutional right. If statehood is restored, my government would not object in any way,' he added. Pahalgam terror attack: A tribute to the victims Mr. Abdullah said if elections are imperative to restore Statehood, his government will not shy away from approaching the Raj Bhawan to dissolve the Assembly. 'My legislators won't be coerced by using this threat of holding elections first,' he added. He warned against 'misleading narratives on restoration of Statehood.' 'Don't attempt to intimidate us with scripted stories. Statehood is our right and not a bargaining chip,' the Chief Minister said.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra slams J&K's ‘dual control' as undemocratic, demands full Statehood
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) said the dual control system in the Union Territory (UT) was 'damaging the very spirit of democracy.' Referring to the divided powers between the elected Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Karra, while speaking in Jammu, said, 'this arrangement was unsustainable and undemocratic.' He said people were beginning to wonder if they voted 'to find solutions or to face fresh troubles.' 'Their [the people of J&K's] trust in the democratic process is hanging by a thread,' he added. Pointing to 'growing public cynicism,' Mr. Karra cautioned that the current dual power system 'could further destabilize the political and administrative framework in Jammu and Kashmir.' 'This system is not just ineffective. It is damaging the very spirit of democracy. Unless full Statehood is restored, and elected representatives are empowered, the situation will only worsen,' the JKPCC chief asserted. Mr. Karra said that issues such as the 'cash crunch at the grassroots' and the 'non-availability of constituency development funds meant for MLAs,' highlighted the need for 'confidence-building initiatives.' 'People need a sense of stability, and the economy needs a lifeline. The government must act fast,' he added. The Congress had contested the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections together with the National Conference (NC) in 2024. However, it has stayed away from the government so far and has been demanding the restoration of Statehood.
