Muzzling democracy: Congress; JK CM will be a powerless rubber stamp: Omar Abdullah; Move to turn Assembly into a municipality: Mehbooba; Unite, it’s now or never: Altaf Bukhari; Another move to disempower, humiliate people of J&K: Sajad Lone
Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Jul 13 :
After Ministry of Home Affairs amended the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, giving the lieutenant governor enhanced authority over the transfers and postings of all-India service officers, police, and the appointment of judicial officers, the opposition parties are unanimously termed this amendment a measure to reduce the powers of the J&K Assembly and the elected government in the region.
The President of the Indian National Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, has strongly condemned the recent amendment, accusing the Modi government of continuing its betrayal of Jammu and Kashmir by granting more powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG), thus delaying the restoration of full statehood.
Kharge stated, “The insertion of new sections under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, has two implications: 1) The Modi government aims to delay the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, despite the Supreme Court mandating Assembly Elections by September 30th, 2024. 2) Even if full statehood is restored, the government intends to keep the newly elected State Government at the mercy of the LG, curbing its executive power. This is another example of ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ continuing daily under the Modi government.”
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Chief, Vikar Rasool Wani, echoed Kharge’s sentiments, stating that the central legislation granting more powers to the LG is a measure to stifle the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir. “The BJP knows it will be routed in the upcoming assembly elections and wants to retain maximum control. This is akin to killing and muzzling democratic institutions,” Wani said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on social media platform X, suggested that the decision indicates impending elections in the region. He emphasized that a firm commitment to restoring full statehood is crucial for these elections. “The people of J&K deserve better than a powerless, rubber-stamp Chief Minister who will have to beg the LG for even minor appointments,” Abdullah wrote.
political entity, Apni Party calls on all regional political parties to set aside our differences and join forces to ensure the restoration of rights to Jammu and Kashmir. We cannot afford a weak assembly and a powerless elected government. To effectively address pressing public issues and grievances, J&K needs a strong assembly and a capable government, regardless of who is elected. It is high time we collectively raise our voices. This is imperative; it’s now or never,” Bukhari said in a press conference here.
Meanwhile, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone, also wrote on X that the amendments passed are part of a continued systematic disempowerment of people of J&K.
“Another move to disempower and humiliate people of J&K. “These amendments even violate the J&K Re-Organisation Act 2019. Yet again, a humble appeal. Please don’t strengthen the perception of being at war with your own people in J&K,” he said—(KNO)