Fulfil the promise: On restoring Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir
UPSC CSE Context Why in News: Supreme Court recorded Centre's assurance to restore J&K statehood over 2.5 years ago, but no action taken. Syllabus Connection: Polity: Centre State relations, special status, Union Territories, and judicial assurance. Exam Relevance: Highlights tension between political promises and constitutional governance, relevant for federalism and J&K issues. Core Issue Centre's inaction on restoring J&K statehood despite assurances. Key Development: J&K CM Omar Abdullah's agitation and sit in at Jantar Mantar on July 20. Stakeholders: Union government J&K government Lieutenant Governor People of J&K Static Knowledge High Value Background: J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories J&K and Ladakh on August 5, 2019, under Article 370 abrogation. Union Territory status gives LG overriding powers over elected government in police, bureaucracy, and law and order. Exam Linkage: Useful for questions on federalism, special status, and Union Territory governance. Concep
## UPSC CSE Context **Why in News:** Supreme Court recorded Centre's assurance to restore J&K statehood over 2.5 years ago, but no action taken. **Syllabus Connection:** Polity: Centre-State relations, special status, Union Territories, and judicial assurance. **Exam Relevance:** Highlights tension between political promises and constitutional governance, relevant for federalism and J&K issues. ## Core Issue Centre's inaction on restoring J&K statehood despite assurances. **Key Development:** J&K CM Omar Abdullah's agitation and sit-in at Jantar Mantar on July 20. **Stakeholders:** - Union government - J&K government - Lieutenant Governor - People of J&K ## Static Knowledge **High-Value Background:** - J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories (J&K and Ladakh) on August 5, 2019, under Article 370 abrogation. - Union Territory status gives LG overriding powers over elected government in police, bureaucracy, and law and order. **Exam Linkage:** - Useful for questions on federalism, special status, and Union Territory governance. **Concepts in Context:** - Statehood restoration involves converting a Union Territory into a full state with legislative and executive autonomy. - Delimitation redraws constituency boundaries, potentially altering political representation. **Institutions and Mechanisms:** - Supreme Court's role in recording assurances and monitoring compliance. ## Dynamic Analysis ### Governance - Retaining UT status after elections undermines democratic accountability as LG holds overriding powers. - Centre's inaction despite court assurance erodes trust in constitutional promises. - Security argument used to defer statehood is weak as cross-border attacks do not justify denying democratic rights. - Empowering elected government can address local grievances and reduce alienation. ### Federalism - Selective application of UT status to border regions with minority populations raises concerns about asymmetric federalism. - Centre's dominance in Parliament allows it to delay statehood without political cost. - Delimitation in J&K seen as attempt to alter political arithmetic before statehood. ### Political - BJP's reluctance linked to electoral calculus, fearing loss of control after statehood. - Omar Abdullah's agitation reflects growing frustration among regional parties. - Promise to court, parliament, and people cannot be held hostage to political expediency. ## Mains Value Addition **Arguments:** - Statehood restoration is essential for democratic governance and federal balance. - Security concerns should not be used to indefinitely deny political rights. - Delaying statehood undermines the credibility of judicial assurances. - Empowering local government can help counter alienation and militancy. **Data Points:** - Over 2.5 years since Supreme Court recorded assurance. **Counterpoints:** - Centre may argue that security situation in J&K is still fragile. - Delimitation process needs to be completed before statehood. - Some view UT status as necessary for effective counter-terrorism operations. ## Way Forward - Centre should set a clear timeline for statehood restoration as promised. - Strengthen local governance mechanisms even under UT status to reduce alienation. - Ensure delimitation is completed transparently and without political bias.
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