Omar Abdullah Renews Call for Statehood as Reservation Row Sparks Political Tensions in J&K

Omar Abdullah Vs Centre: The Battle Over Jammu & Kashmir Statehood and Reservation Policy

By: Javid Amin | 18 October 2025

A Region in Political Limbo

The debate around the future of Jammu and Kashmir has intensified once again. From the call to restore statehood to fierce criticism over the handling of reservation policy, the political temperature in the region is rising steadily.
At the heart of the storm is Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister and leader of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, who has issued a direct appeal to Narendra Modi, urging him to “fulfil the solemn promise” made to the people of J&K.

Meanwhile, the decision to review or end the RBA (Reserved Backward Area) category has triggered political backlash, with leaders like Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra calling it an act of “political erasure.”

This article unpacks the developments in depth — from the Centre’s delay on statehood, the Supreme Court angle, and the BJP’s unfulfilled promises, to the implications of the reservation policy change.

Omar Abdullah’s Appeal: “Statehood Is the Solution”

On the first anniversary of the NC-led government, Omar Abdullah made a public and passionate appeal to the Prime Minister:

“We still believe that the solution to all the problems facing Jammu and Kashmir lies in the restoration of statehood.”

Background to the Demand

The demand for the restoration of statehood stems from the events following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India in 2019. J&K was downgraded from a state to a Union Territory — a move that stripped its elected government of crucial powers and administrative autonomy.

The Union Government had publicly committed to a three-step roadmap:

1. Delimitation of constituencies

2. Assembly elections

3. Restoration of statehood

However, more than four years later, only the first two steps have seen movement, leaving the promise of statehood in limbo.

“No Dialogue So Far”: A Stalemate in State-Centre Relations

In a recent statement, Omar Abdullah clarified that no formal consultations have taken place between the Centre and political parties in J&K regarding the restoration of statehood.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, reiterated that statehood will be restored “at an appropriate time”, but stopped short of providing any timeline.

Why This Matters

• Lack of clarity has deepened political frustration in the Valley.

• Regional parties see the delay as a calculated political strategy to centralize control.

• Civil society and youth groups are increasingly vocal about political disenfranchisement.

Omar’s statement:

“We are not asking for a favour; we are asking for the return of what was rightfully ours.”

The Reservation Policy Controversy: RBA Category Under Threat

One of the most explosive developments in recent weeks has been the government’s decision to revise or potentially eliminate the RBA category.

The RBA quota has historically ensured educational and administrative representation for residents of remote and underdeveloped areas in J&K.

Waheed Parra’s Sharp Rebuttal: “This Is Political Erasure”

Senior PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra lashed out at the Omar Abdullah-led government, accusing it of diluting Kashmiri representation:

“The recently approved reservation matrix is a political project aimed at diluting Kashmiri representation under the guise of administrative rationalisation.”

Key Accusations:

• Undermining constitutional safeguards

• Weakening regional equity

• Betraying the 2024 mandate given by Kashmiris

The PDP has demanded a rollback of the decision and urged the government to hold public consultations before any changes are made.

Civil society groups and student unions have echoed Parra’s concerns, warning that the move could deepen existing socio-political fault lines.

Cabinet Sub-Committee Report: Withheld for LG Approval

The state government has completed a detailed sub-committee report on the new reservation policy. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that the report cannot be made public until it receives formal approval from Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K.

“No government works under pressure, and I am the last person you can pressurize,” Omar said.

This procedural move, though legally sound, has added to public mistrust as people await clarity on how the new quota structure will reshape opportunities in education and employment.

BJP’s “Broken Promises”: Omar’s Accusation

During his press conference marking one year in office, Omar Abdullah didn’t hold back his criticism of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

“Ladakh was promised Sixth Schedule. They knew they couldn’t deliver it. Then why promise it? Are we next?”

Key Points:

• The promise of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India status for Ladakh remains unfulfilled.

• The statehood restoration for J&K has been delayed indefinitely.

• Omar ruled out any alliance with BJP, asserting that statehood must be unconditional.

This hard stance signals a deepening political rift between the NC-led state government and the Centre.

Supreme Court Angle: Omar Abdullah May Join Statehood Case

Omar Abdullah has revealed that he is “seriously considering” becoming a party to the petitions in Supreme Court of India seeking restoration of J&K’s statehood.

🏛️ Why His Participation Matters:

• Omar is the only leader to have served as CM both when J&K was a state and a UT.

• His testimony can offer a unique political and administrative perspective.

• It can increase judicial and national attention on the statehood issue.

“I believe I can offer a unique perspective to the court,” Omar said, after consulting legal experts in Srinagar and Delhi.

This move could escalate the legal and political battle, making statehood restoration a national issue once again.

Timeline of Key Events Since 2019

This timeline highlights the pattern of delayed or vague commitments, which has eroded public confidence over time.

Political Implications: A New Power Struggle

The simultaneous push for statehood and the reservation policy controversy reveals a larger political recalibration happening in Jammu and Kashmir:

• The Centre wants to retain strong administrative control.

• Regional parties are pushing for political autonomy and equitable representation.

• Public sentiment is increasingly polarized — with some demanding full restoration of pre-2019 status, and others seeking incremental democratic empowerment.

Expert Analysis: What Happens Next?

Political analysts believe that Omar Abdullah’s confrontational but calculated tone is part of a long-term strategy to:

• Pressure the Centre ahead of future elections.

• Position the NC as the primary voice of democratic restoration.

• Build broader alliances with opposition forces at the national level.

Legal experts also suggest that the Supreme Court case on statehood could become a landmark moment if political parties like NC formally join the petition.

What This Means for Ordinary Kashmiris

While political leaders debate timelines and policies, ordinary residents face the real consequences of delayed statehood and uncertain reservation structures:

• Lack of clarity over job and education quotas.

• No elected state assembly to voice local concerns effectively.

• Emotional alienation from the political process.

• Administrative delays in development projects.

For many, this is not just a constitutional issue but a question of dignity and agency.

Bottom-Line: The Road Ahead

The restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood has become a defining political issue of the decade. The Centre’s delays, the state’s rising assertiveness, and the legal battle in the Supreme Court are setting the stage for a historic confrontation over democratic representation and constitutional promises.

As Omar Abdullah sharpens his political message, the Centre faces growing pressure to turn its assurances into action. Meanwhile, the reservation policy row underscores how policy decisions in J&K are inseparable from politics.

Whether statehood is restored soon or delayed further will not just shape governance — it will determine the future political identity of Jammu and Kashmir.