The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Muslim representative organizations, expresses its deep concern at the continuing political and constitutional uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir and the growing unrest in Ladakh.
On Jammu and Kashmir:
Mushawarat recalls with regret the unilateral decision of August 2019 to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and to dismember the historic state into two union territories.
The Modi Government itself had assured the Supreme Court – the cluntry’s apex court and the country that statehood of J&K would be restored at the earliest.
Mushawarat reminds the government that elections were held last year with great fanfare, and citizens of J&K came out in large numbers to cast their votes, despite years of alienation and suffocation, with the hope that their democratic participation would end the atmosphere of despair. Yet the elected chief minister of J&K today is rendered powerless, with real authority continuing to rest with the Union government. This practice undermines the very idea of representative government elected through democratic processes and risks shaking public confidence in counyry’s democratic institutions.
The Mushawarat reminds the government that in past, the rigging of the 1987 elections had broken faith in the democratic process in the erstwhile state of J&K and pushed a generation towards militancy.
While the recent elections were not marred by such malpractice, the post-poll denial of powers to the elected leadership is even more corrosive to faith in democracy. This situation must be rectified without any further delay.
On Ladakh:
The Mushawarat also notes with dismay the unrest in Ladakh, which was separated from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 with promises of direct prosperity and special attention. At that time, Ladakhi Buddhists were led to believe that separation would guarantee economic growth and safeguard their identity.
Today, however, those promises lie unfulfilled. It must be noted that according to the 2011 census, the region houses 46.40% Muslims and 36.65% Buddhists. The majority of Laddhakis were not in favor of seeking separate region from Jammu and Kashmir.
Now, all Ladakhis—both Buddhists and Muslims—are united in voicing fears that their identity, land, and culture are under direct threat because of sinister games of political players in Delhi.
The Mushawarat recalls and condemns the cynical attempt of the past to pit Buddhists against Muslims by sowing suspicion and hatred between communities. The reality today demonstrates that the dismemberment of Jammu and Kashmir has weakened all its regions, and the people of Ladakh, too, feel betrayed.
Therefore, in light of the unfortunate developments mentioned above, the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat demands:
- Immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, with genuine devolution of powers to its elected representatives.
- A transparent roadmap for democratic governance that ensures elected governments can function with dignity, authority, and accountability.
- Urgent measures to protect the identity, land rights, and cultural heritage of the people of Ladakh, in consultation with both Buddhist and Muslim communities.
- An end to policies that seek to divide communities on religious or regional lines; and a commitment to foster unity, justice, and reconciliation.
The Mushawarat reiterates that lasting peace in the region can only be secured through restoring trust, respecting democratic promises, and ensuring justice for all communities of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Proposed by
Navaid Hamid, Working President of AIMMM with inputs from Iftekhar Gilani – Member AIMMM and senior journalist.