Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has thrown its weight behind National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah's planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, scheduled for the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon session, demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The CPI-M's State Committee has urged all political parties, organisations, and individuals to set aside their differences and participate in what is being described as the NC's most significant push yet to reclaim statehood.

CPI-M's Stand and Key Demands

Md. Abass Rather, State Secretary of the CPI-M, characterised the 5 August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A — and the subsequent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — as an assault on every community, caste, and creed in the region, not just one party or area. Rather argued that the decision was made without any consultation with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir, a grievance that has persisted across political lines in the region.

Rather further pointed to a 12 July 2024 notification amending the Transaction of Business Rules, which expanded the executive authority of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over police, public order, and postings and transfers of All India Services officers. He said this move 'aims at further eroding the authority of the elected government, thereby undermining the mandate of the people.'

Supreme Court Directive and Unfulfilled Assurances

While the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A survived legal challenge, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir 'as soon as possible.' According to Rather, repeated assurances from the Union government on this front have gone unfulfilled. The CPI-M has warned that any further delay will deepen 'widespread discontentment and disillusionment' among the people of the region.

Abdullah's Outreach to INDIA Bloc

Abdullah has reportedly reached out to 52 leaders across the country, appealing to members of the INDIA bloc to join the protest. Among those contacted are Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi; Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M.K. Stalin; Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav; All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee; Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav; and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Centre's Position

The Centre has maintained silence on the matter publicly. However, sources indicate that the Union Home Ministry does not currently consider conditions conducive for granting full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. This comes amid an ongoing political standoff between the elected state government and the Lieutenant Governor's office over administrative authority.

Whether the broad-based opposition coalition can translate outreach into a unified show of strength at Jantar Mantar remains to be seen — and will likely set the tone for the statehood debate through the Monsoon session.