In July, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived in New Delhi with his cabinet to demand the restoration of the region’s federal guarantees, only to be denied permission to protest at Jantar Mantar. Within days, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti and Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi organized separate programmes in the capital. The parallel events underscored deep divisions within Kashmiri political leadership rather than a unified push for democratic dissent.
Since assuming office in October 2024, Abdullah has concentrated on repairing ties with the central government, hoping that a calibrated approach would yield a respectable arrangement for the state. However, his opponents in Srinagar have labelled his outreach as pusillanimous, insisting that the foremost political objective remains the reversal of the August 5, 2019 legislation that stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi‑autonomous status.
Commentators argue that the region’s quest for dignity and a federal settlement cannot be achieved through constant criticism of a government perceived as insufficiently combative. They call on politicians across the Gupkar coalition to seek unity, even as serious disagreements persist, noting that the broader Indian opposition remains cautious about engaging with the Kashmir issue.
Two years after a local election ended the erstwhile bureaucratic vacuum, the unelected Lieutenant Governor continues to wield significant authority, complicating governance and law‑and‑order decisions. Recent security incidents, such as the April 2025 Baisaran attack and subsequent demolition of alleged militants’ homes, have highlighted the need for an elected government with full executive powers. The National Conference, aware that Delhi is reluctant to cede such powers, is reportedly exploring resistance strategies while avoiding street protests, emphasizing that the struggle centers on rights and dignity as much as on statehood.
