Autonomy back to haunt Omar Abdullah

In a bid to restore autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid has decided to table a bill in the coming budget session of the legislative assembly seeking a change in the nomenclature of the chief minister and the governor to prime minister and president.

If tabling of the bill is allowed, it will be for the first time after 2000 that the issue of autonomy will be included in House proceedings. The previous National Conference (NC) government had adopted an autonomy resolution in both Houses on June 26, 2000, but it was summarily rejected by the then NDA government at the Centre, calling it anti-national.

“Most political parties, including NC and PDP, are demanding empowerment of the state. Let them support my bill and take a step towards it. The bill will be a move towards restoring the autonomy J&K enjoyed before 1953,” Rashid said adding there was no need for a constitutional amendment for changing the nomenclature and therefore, nobody should have an objection to the bill.

Under the 2000 resolution, J&K was to enjoy autonomy in sectors other than defence, foreign policy, currency and communication, and the nomenclature of the chief minister and the governor change to prime minister and Sadar-e-Riyasat.

Rashid’s move comes close on the heels of the state government’s decision to kick off the process for evolving a consensus on the justice Saghir Committee recommendations advocating autonomy for J&K.