Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has emphasized that the description of Article 370 as a “temporary or transitional” provision was due to the fact that J&K’s status had not been fully formalized at the time of its accession to India in 1947. Speaking in an interview on February 25, 2025, Abdullah pointed out that the promise of a plebiscite was made to the people of J&K at the point of accession, which made Article 370 temporary and transitional.
“What was the promise made to the people of J&K at the point of accession that made Article 370 [under which J&K enjoyed special status] temporary and transitional? The promise was a plebiscite. At the time of accession, J&K’s status was not fully formalized. It was understood that its future would be determined through democratic means,” Abdullah stated.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come in the wake of a recent interview with former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, who described Article 370 as “temporary and transitory.” Abdullah reiterated that there was a context to the terms “temporary” or “transitional” associated with Article 370.
Abdullah also revisited the Instrument of Accession and the conditions signed by the then Dogra ruler, Hari Singh, and the Government of India in 1947. He argued that both the accession and the framework that enabled it should be treated equally, rather than one being considered permanent and the other temporary.
Despite his critique, Abdullah praised the change in atmosphere in J&K following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He noted a decline in separatist activity and mentioned that it would have been unthinkable earlier for the Mirwaiz to be provided with CRPF cover.
### Reactions to Abdullah’s Remarks
The office of the Mirwaiz termed Abdullah’s remarks as “nonsensical,” stating that ascribing motives to the security provided to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was highly regrettable and in bad taste. The statement suggested that such comments betray the commentator’s insecurities and further disillusion the already beleaguered and repressed people.
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra also questioned Abdullah’s remarks about the change in situation post-2019. Parra argued that the calm in Kashmir today is due to the implementation of laws such as the UAPA and the PSA, the activities of the NIA, the seizure of residences and possessions, continuous profiling, lodging of inmates outside under harsher laws, and dismissal of workers under Article 311.
Parra accused Abdullah of making a complete U-turn from his election campaign and manifesto, suggesting that his endorsement now is merely a ratification of the iron-fist approach against Kashmiris.
J&K People’s Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajad Lone added that Abdullah’s remarks increased the vulnerability faced by the Mirwaiz. Lone argued that singling out the Mirwaiz only puts him at greater risk, given that his family has already paid a heavy price. He pointed out that hundreds of graves, shrines, and mosques are protected by the JKP and the CRPF, questioning why the Mirwaiz’s security should be singled out.
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