Gradual, not hasty, path to statehood best for J&K: Bihar Governor

Srinagar, Nov 5: Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday called for patience and stability in the process of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that any transition must be “peaceful and sustainable” to ensure lasting normalcy in J&K.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Srinagar, Khan acknowledged the “years of hardship and emotional pain” endured by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance, noting that both the government and citizens across India share a “collective hope” for the return of statehood.

However, Khan cautioned against haste, saying, “Such a transition requires a well-structured and sustainable mechanism. Rushed decisions often end up burdening innocent civilians.”

He said that the ultimate goal should be to build a “peaceful, balanced, and stable” environment before restoring full powers to the State government.

His comments come as major political parties in J&K led by the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress, step up their campaign for the immediate restoration of statehood.

The NC, under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has made the issue central to its governance agenda since winning the October 2024 assembly elections, the first in a decade.

CM Omar has repeatedly argued that reinstating statehood is vital to restoring public trust and strengthening local governance, warning that delays risk fueling alienation.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had accused the Centre of “deliberate procrastination,” asserting that the elected assembly remains powerless without statehood, particularly on key issues like land and security.

The Congress, which partners with the NC in the coalition government, has also voiced impatience.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra recently described statehood as “the bare minimum owed to the people after years of central overreach.”

The ruling parties, together commanding a majority in the 90-member assembly, passed a joint resolution in their first sitting demanding immediate statehood restoration, a move they framed as a test of New Delhi’s commitment to democratic normalisation following the Supreme Court’s 2023 verdict upholding the 2019 abrogation of Article 370.

Shifting the tone from political urgency to cultural continuity, Khan described Kashmir as “the crown of India” and “the cradle of wisdom, intellect, and culture.”

Recalling his past visits, he said, “There is a special emotion in my heart for Kashmir. I spent nearly a month here in 1984 and have returned many times since.”

Khan urged political actors to focus on long-term peace and unity rather than short-term political victories.

He also briefly addressed preparations for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, assuring that arrangements were “carefully planned to ensure a smooth and fair polling process.”

With J&K now governed by an elected assembly but still operating as a Union Territory, the question of statehood remains one of J&K’s most contentious issues.

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah has previously said restoration is “on the anvil” once security and electoral milestones are achieved, the absence of a clear timeline continues to fuel tension.

About the dual power system in J&K under the Union Territory setup and the lack of restored statehood, Khan acknowledged that it was unfortunate for Kashmir to have endured such painful situations.

He referenced the partition of 1947, stating that while many had suffered, the people of Kashmir had paid the highest price.

Khan said that everyone, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, desires peace in J&K and wishes for the restoration of statehood.

“We cannot be complacent in thinking that trouble only arises in Kashmir. We are all concerned and desire normal conditions. This is the desire of everyone in India. The PM wants Kashmir to have the autonomy to decide for itself,” he said.

However, Khan said that normalcy must be established, “so that the situation here can also return to normal.”

“It is a collective effort between you and us to create conditions where the rule of law is upheld in the same manner in Kashmir as it is elsewhere,” he said.

BIHAR POLLS

Khan confirmed that all preparations were in place for the first phase of voting in the Bihar assembly polls, calling the elections a celebration of democracy.

“Tomorrow is polling day and preparations have already been finalised. I am confident that democracy in our country has become very strong,” Khan said after attending the event at SKICC.

Calling the polls a celebration of democracy, Khan said that one’s family background does not determine who can govern.

“The person who runs the government is chosen through the ballot box. They receive a mandate from the people of India and the states for a specific period. They are not sovereign; the people of this country are sovereign,” he said.

Khan highlighted the examples of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that their ascension to the highest offices in the country sends a powerful message that there are no limits to what anyone can achieve.

“What message does this send to the common man, especially to the youth? It demonstrates that we have a system where there are no restrictions on how high you can aspire to go. However, you must earn the people’s trust. After that, the sky is the limit,” he said.