Amit Shah’s New Rules for Jammu and Kashmir: What It Means for the Future

On July 13, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced changes to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. These changes give more power to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Some people are not happy about this and think it will make the new Chief Minister less powerful if elections happen.

What Happened?

President Droupadi Murmu approved the changes, which started on July 12. The changes were made just before the expected elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The new rules were published in the Official Gazette.

What Do People Think?

Many leaders from different political parties are upset. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the changes mean Jammu and Kashmir might not become a full state soon. He mentioned that the Supreme Court said elections should happen by September 30, 2024. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also criticized the changes, calling it a betrayal of Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference said the new Chief Minister would be powerless. Mehbooba Mufti, a former Chief Minister, said the changes make life hard for people in the region. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the Lieutenant Governor will have too much power.

Government’s Response

Government sources said the changes are just clarifications of the existing rules. They said nothing new has been added, and the changes are based on the State Reorganization Act of 2019.

Details of the Changes

The new rules say that important decisions about police, public order, and other services must go through the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor will also have a say in appointing law officers and making decisions about prosecutions.

The original rules were published in August 2020 and were last changed in February 2024.