Washington, D.C. (TW News) – The demonstration in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, led by the National Conference, is, in our view, a political exercise that fails to address the fundamental aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. While it may be presented as a struggle for the restoration of democratic rights, it diverts attention from what Kashmiris regard as the central political issue—the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their own political future.

World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) believes that the developments following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on 5 August 2019 marked a profound turning point in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir. As far as WKAF is concerned, the constitutional changes, the extensive deployment of occupation forces, the detention of political leaders and thousands of civilians, restrictions on communication and political activity, and the continuing application of draconian laws have significantly altered the region’s political landscape. These developments, we believe, cannot be remedied merely by restoring statehood. Administrative changes cannot substitute for addressing the underlying political dispute.

The National Conference has historically deceived innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir for the sake of power through dynastic rule. Without an Indian patronage they will stand eliminated from Kashmir polity. Its current campaign for statehood represents a retreat from addressing the larger political question. The government headed by Omar Abdullah functions within the constitutional framework established by the Government of India and, in our opinion, possesses only those powers that have been devolved to it. It has no authority to negotiate or resolve the broader political dispute concerning the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Consequently, its campaign for statehood appears to us to be more symbolic than substantive.

In our assessment, the politics surrounding statehood risks creating an illusion of progress while leaving the core political question untouched. The so called “ agitation “ launched by Abdullahs and their party is an exercise that will fulfill their iniquitous designs along with that of India If statehood were restored, the National Conference could claim credit for achieving a long-standing political objective, while the Government of India could present the move as evidence of responding to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Such a development, in our view, would enable both parties to declare political success without addressing the question that continues to remain at the heart of the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir – the right of self-determination.

The demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir has never been confined to the restoration of constitutional provisions or administrative autonomy. Rather, it has centered on the principle of self-determination. From this perspective, statehood and self-determination are fundamentally different concepts. Statehood concerns the distribution of powers within the constitutional structure of India, whereas self-determination concerns the ability of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to freely determine their political future through peaceful, democratic, and inclusive means as promised by UN resolutions. Consequently, the restoration of statehood, however significant it may appear to some, does not answer the larger political aspirations held by the people of the region.

We believe that any attempt to portray the restoration of statehood as the final resolution of the Kashmir issue would neither reflect the diversity of political opinion within Jammu and Kashmir nor resolve the long-standing dispute. We, therefore, urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir to be vigilant and not be misled by Indian puppets.

WKAF wants to make it clear that we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to peaceful, democratic, and non-violent advocacy. Our approach categorically rejects hatred and violence in all their manifestations. We firmly believe that sustainable peace in Jammu and Kashmir can only be achieved through genuine dialogue, unwavering respect for human rights, the protection of civil liberties, and the cultivation of an environment where diverse political opinions can be freely expressed without fear or intimidation. To this end, we call upon all relevant stakeholders to engage in sincere and inclusive dialogue. Our collective objective should be to achieve a peaceful, just, and enduring resolution that upholds the dignity, rights, and well-being of all the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Our rejection of the current campaign for statehood should not be misconstrued as opposition to democratic rights or the existence of representative institutions. Instead, our stance reflects a deep conviction that constitutional changes on their own are insufficient to resolve what many consider to be an unresolved political issue. Until the broader question of the right to self-determination is addressed through peaceful and democratic processes, efforts focused exclusively on the restoration of statehood will, in the view of many, remain inadequate, inconsequential, and incapable of meeting the aspirations that have influenced the political dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir for generations.

For more information, please
World Kashmir Awareness Forum
1-917-419-2003
Worldkashmirawareness.org
www.kashmirawareness.org