Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday (February 25, 2025) said the description of Article 370 as a “temporary or transitional [provision] was because J&K’s status had not been fully formalised” at the time of its accession to India in 1947.
“What was the promise made to the people of J&K at the point of accession that made Article 370 [under which J&K enjoyed special status] temporary and transitional? The promise was a plebiscite. At the time of accession, J&K’s status was not fully formalised. It was understood that its future would be determined through democratic means,” Mr. Abdullah said in an interview to a television channel.
The J&K Chief Minister’s remarks assume significance in the wake of a recent interview of former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud to the BBC, where he described Article 370 as “temporary and transitory”.
“There was a context to word temporary or transitional associated with Article 370,” Mr. Abdullah said.
He also sought to revisit the Instrument of Accession and the conditions, which were signed by the then Dogra ruler, Hari Singh, and the Government of India in 1947. “Over time, the accession became final but so were the conditions and the framework that enabled it. Both aspects must be treated equally, rather than one being considered permanent and the other temporary. The framework governing the accession should have remained unchanged,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, praised the change in atmosphere in J&K after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 in 2019. Referring to decline in separatist activity since 2019, Mr. Abdullah said, “It would have been unthinkable earlier for the Mirwaiz to be provided with CRPF cover.”
Nonsensical, says Mirwaiz’s office
However, the office of the Mirwaiz termed Mr. Abdullah’s remarks “nonsensical”. “Mr. Abdullah holding a post of responsibility is assumed to talk sense, ascribing motives to the security provided to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, knowing fully well the circumstances, is highly regrettable and in very bad taste. Such irresponsible comments betray the commentators’ insecurities and further disillusionment among the already beleaguered and repressed people regarding him and his mindset,” a statement issued by the Mirwaiz’s office said.
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra too questioned Mr. Abdullah’s remarks about the change in situation post-2019. “If Kashmir seems calm today, it is because of the implementation of laws such as the UAPA and the PSA (Public Safety Act), the activities of the NIA, the seizure of residences and possessions, continuous profiling, lodging of inmates outside under harsher laws, and dismissal of workers under Article 311,” Mr. Parra said.
He said Mr. Abdullah’s remarks “represent a complete U-turn from the election campaign and manifesto”. “Your endorsement now is nothing more than a ratification of the iron-fist approach against Kashmiris.”
J&K People’s Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajad Lone said the remarks of Mr. Abdullah “increased the vulnerability he faces”. “Singling out Mirwaiz only puts him at greater risk, knowing that his family has already paid a heavy price. The truth is that hundreds of graves, shrines and mosques are protected by the JKP and the CRPF. So why make an issue of the Mirwaiz?” Mr. Lone said in a post on X.
