The J&K Chief Minister was responding to a question about the differences in the security situation between 2010.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the "normalcy" in the Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370, as claimed by the Centre, was not organic but rather forced. Speaking at a media event in Delhi, Abdullah pointed out that the security situation in Kashmir was far from normal, citing the closure of Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Shab-e-Baraat as an example.
"If what is happening today in J&K is organic, then nothing like it. If it is driven by fear, then there is a problem. You can control a situation with fear for only so long. If it's truly organic, it will last. But I would argue that neither the security forces nor the people believe it is organic," Abdullah remarked.
The J&K Chief Minister was responding to a question about the differences in the security situation between 2010, when over 200 youths died in protests, and the present day. The Centre has repeatedly claimed that the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 has led to fewer shutdowns and a decline in separatist and militant activities.
As per an India Today report, Abdullah referred to the authorities denying permission to Hurriyat chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to lead the funeral prayers of his father-in-law at the Jama Masjid to buttress his point."If they believed it was organic, they wouldn't have closed Jama Masjid to prevent Mirwaiz Farooq from having his father-in-law's namaz-e-janaza. The reason they cited was that they feared a law and order situation breaking out. A law and order situation doesn't break out when normalcy is organic, it breaks out when normalcy is forced. What we have in parts of J&K today is not organic normalcy, it is forced normalcy," Abdullah said.
On Article 370
Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood on October 31, 2019, and became a Union Territory. The changes have left the LT Governor with more governance powers.
Speaking on this issue, Abdullah stated, "Attempting to govern J&K with a second model, where law and order and security are handled separately from governance, will have its limits. You won’t be able to bring the population along as partners in normalcy."
These comments mark a shift from the more conciliatory stance Abdullah has recently taken towards the Narendra Modi-led government. Notably, he had also mentioned the change in the atmosphere in J&K following the abrogation of Article 370 last month.
The National Conference leader has also softened his demand for the restoration of J&K's special status, which had been a key pre-election promise. He acknowledged that he was not "foolish" enough to expect the Centre to reinstate Article 370.