Statehood demand should unite J&K parties, not become political theatre: Hakeem Yaseen

• Calls for J&K Parties to Learn from Ladakh’s Collective Strategy
• Urges joint political front for restoration of rights
• BJP alone not responsible, regional parties also accountable

SRINAGAR: PDF President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Tuesday said that all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the ruling party planning to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar for restoration of statehood, should first introspect and adopt a united approach instead of pursuing separate political agendas.

Hakeem questioned the need for separate protests when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised the issue of statehood. He said the restoration of statehood has already been publicly promised by Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of Parliament.

“Every party is demanding statehood, but each is following its own path. Why can’t all political parties come together and form a joint political front for Jammu and Kashmir, similar to the collective approach adopted by Ladakh to safeguard its interests?” Hakeem said. Referring to Ladakh’s political mobilisation around constitutional safeguards under Article 371, Hakeem said Ladakh, despite having a much smaller population, has managed to secure stronger protections and bargaining power than Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the present situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not the result of one party alone. “BJP is not the only party responsible. Other political parties that ruled Jammu and Kashmir from 1953 onwards also bear responsibility for the gradual erosion of our constitutional and political rights,” he said. Hakeem added that from the dismissal of popular governments in 1953, the weakening of the Prime Minister and Sadr-i-Riyasat institutions, to the continued erosion of Article 370, the damage to Jammu and Kashmir happened over decades due to vested political interests.

He said the 1975 Accord further weakened Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy and accelerated political disempowerment. Hakeem urged political parties not to exploit public sentiment in the name of statehood and constitutional rights merely for political gains. “If leaders are sincere, they should struggle for restoration of the dignity and constitutional position that Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed in 1947 and thereafter under constitutional guarantees,” he said.

He stressed that leaders must work in the genuine interest of the people and become the voice of the voiceless rather than using sensitive issues to divert public attention. “We need meaningful dialogue and serious political engagement that benefits common people. Otherwise, such protests and statements will remain routine exercises aimed at diverting people’s attention from real issues,” Hakeem said.