Resolution seeking restoration of Kashmir autonomy fails

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

A resolution seeking the restoration of political autonomy for Indian-administered Kashmir, which was scrapped by the Hindu-nationalist Indian government in 2019, fell through in the first session of the region’s newly elected assembly.

The resolution tabled by Waheed Parra, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, evoked uproar from the 29 members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, India’s ruling party that abrogated Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution on Aug. 5, 2019.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whose ruling National Conference is the largest party in the house with 42 members of its own and the support of seven others, dismissed the resolution as something "introduced for the cameras and carries no real significance."

Abdullah said if there had been a genuine intention behind the resolution, it should have been discussed with the National Conference, the ruling party in the Union Territory.

“The reality is that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not approve of the decision taken on Aug. 5, 2019. If they had approved, then the results today would have been different. How the House will reflect and discuss this will not be decided by any one member,” Omar said.

However, the PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X: “Proud of Waheed Parra for introducing a resolution in JK Assembly opposing the revocation of Article 370 and resolve to restore the special status.”

With three seats of PDP and 49 of the ruling coalition, the resolution could have been passed with a majority in the 90-member assembly. Although the mere passing of the resolution could not change anything, it carries symbolic significance as both PDP and National Conference made the restoration of autonomy of the disputed territory as key election plank.

Before Aug. 5, 2019, the region had its own constitution, flag, and bicameral legislature that could pass laws independently of the Indian parliament. Today, most of governmental powers are vested with a Lt. Governor and New Delhi still virtually rules the region remotely.

India and Pakistan rule the Jammu and Kashmir region in parts but claim it in full. The territories are recognized as Indian-administered Kashmir, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (also known as Azad Kashmir).

Upsurge in violent incidents

The formation of the new government, after a gap of six years, coincided with an increase in violent incidents, in which nearly a dozen civilians were killed and more than a dozen injured. These incidents also saw the killing of three soldiers and three suspected militants.

Omar’s father and two-time former chief minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, hinted at sabotage and called for an independent investigation into these incidents.

“Violence is taking place. There should be an investigation into it. Those involved should be arrested alive. We will get to know who is doing it because there are attempts to defame us,” Farooq said on Saturday after a militant commander was killed and four armed personnel were injured in a gunfight in the capital Srinagar.

While the new government has powers over a few administrative departments, New Delhi is responsible for security.