Brig Anil Gupta (retd)
anil5457@gmail.com
As demands for statehood in Jammu & Kashmir grow louder ahead of the upcoming byelections, the issue has become more than just a routine political slogan-it’s turning into a rallying cry. Politicians are already urging the public to unite and raise their voices against what they say is a denial of rights. But who actually stands to gain from the shift from Union Territory (UT) status to statehood? Is it the everyday citizen, or the exclusive class that historically held sway over the region?
Why Does Statehood Matter-And To Whom?
For the common man living in Jammu or Kashmir, whether the region is a UT or a state rarely changes day-to-day life. Basic struggles remain the same: water, electricity, roads, education, and healthcare. But for the elite who thrived under the old state structure-especially before August 2019-the stakes are much higher.
These statusquoists owe much of their influence to the era of Article 370 and 35A. For decades, the region’s powerful political class operated with little accountability, practicing exclusive, often discriminatory politics that centered on a select region and religious group. Under various governments, public resources-from prime land grabbed under the Roshni Act to plum posts in J&K Bank, backdoor appointments -were diverted for the benefit of the few rather than the many.
The Sultanate of the Elite
History reveals how leaders used their positions to enrich themselves and their relatives. Prime land was taken on lease and developed into vast properties, often transferred through power of attorney. Public funds flowed from the central government but disappeared without explanation, and under the shadow of political patronage, no one asked questions.
While the elite enjoyed a life of luxury, sending their children abroad, many encouraged local youth into paths of violence-whether picking up guns or stones. The interests of the public were rarely on their radar. Ordinary citizens survived on promises that were seldom kept, while politicians built their own private estate, turning the state into their personal dominion.
A New System in Place
Today, things are changing. The current nizam (system) has instituted checks and accountability, curbing unchecked authority and trying to ensure public resources benefit the awam-the people. This system does not suit those who prospered previously. So, the push for statehood is less about public welfare and more about restoring former privilege.
Without Article 370 and 35A, most realize that the old days of unbridled power will not return. So why the uproar? Statehood is seen as a door to resume exclusive politics, ignore accountability, and bring back discriminatory policies. It’s a return to the past, not a step forward.
The Reality of Popular Government
Past popular governments often failed to deliver on promises, instead took divisive decisions, encouraged soft – separatism, autonomy, and fiscal imprudence. The present elected government is no different. Analyse a few of their decisions: mandating Urdu for Naib Tehsildar jobs to reintroducing Muslim names for landmarks, restoring holidays linked to a particular history, and showing bias in disaster compensation-these decisions reflect a narrow political view. The proposal of anti-eviction laws and permanent transfer of leased lands, such as those on Gupkar Road, would only benefit the elite, while the real needs of ordinary citizens go unaddressed.
What Do People Really Want?
The ongoing struggles of most people-access to essential services and genuine development-have little to do with the latest chants for statehood. The real battle is for estatehood: returning the state as a playground for the influential elite, not for the genuine upliftment of the public.
It’s time to focus on the common good. Awakening is needed-not to follow emotive slogans, but to demand real progress where it matters.
Jago Jammu Jago
(The author is a local veteran, security and strategic affairs analyst)
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