It was crystal clear during Amit Shah recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he stated that the issue of restoration of state ‘hood status to the region is in the exclusive domain of the centre. Shah further contested that “No power” can talk about or decide on autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir again underlining the supremacy of the central government on it. This statement is, however, made as the Jammu and Kashmir prepares for Assembly elections which is an important juncture in the politics of the region.
Shah’s comments were a part of a larger disparagement directed towards the opposition political parties including Congress, National Conference (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said these parties have cheated people of Jammu and Kashmir with their so called autonomy and statehood claims as well as he alleged that these parties were also responsible for corruption and bad governance which, as per him, was evident in the state during their term. Shah’s criticism was mostly directed at Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party alerting him to stop making deceptive statements concerning statehood.
The stand taken by the Union Home Minister is in consonance with the BJP’s stand on the issue since August 5, 2019 when Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was abrogated and the State was bifurcated into two Union Territories. A pledge for statehood has been made very many times by the central government, but this has been done in words that were marked by an evident condition that the statehood shall be restored at an appropriate time after the holding of the elections.
Also Read: Jammu & Kashmir News: Amit Shah Urges Congress and NC to Stop ‘Fooling’ J&K Over Statehood Promises
Through acting in such a way that any possibility of an autonomy discussion is out of the question Shah wanted to make sure that any demands for greater liberal self-governance within the state of Jammu and Kashmir, as a catalogue rousing point for parties like the NC and the PDP, are eradicated once and for all. His message was clear: the BJP led at the centre will not tolerate any ideas of decentralization and the process of saffronising the state will be done in the way the central government wishes it.
The speech given by Shah is viewed as an attempt to strengthen the party’s base in Jammu and Kashmir especially heading to polls. However, by being tough on the opposition and asserting the Central’s Authority on the statehood issue the BJP also seeks to convince the north east that it is the only party which can guarantee peace and development.
Therefore, the speech made by Amit Shah in Jammu and Kashmir brought back the message that for the people of the region, including statehood, the future is shaped by the central government only. This happy position of the BJP government in the state seems to have cemented by his authoritative dismissal of any talks on autonomy, which could colour the political activities in the run up to the Assembly election, making it a hotly contested affair.
