Former CEC SY Quraishi Calls For Immediate Restoration of Statehood, Reconciliation in J&K

SRINAGAR: Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. S.Y. Quraishi on Saturday called for immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that the dignified return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to their “original” hearth and home is a moral obligation and a cultural necessity.

Speaking at the 2nd Mohammad Shafi Pandit Memorial Lecture in Srinagar, he described the 2019 downgrading of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory as a “grave injustice” that must now be corrected without delay. With elections having been held and voters participating in overwhelming numbers, he argued that democratic legitimacy cannot remain “partial or symbolic,” insisting that an elected government must wield full administrative authority rather than function as a powerless structure overshadowed by bureaucratic control.

Quraishi’s remarks were grounded in constitutional commitments and democratic ethics. He reminded the audience that the Union government had assured the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored “as soon as possible,” yet “three-four years have passed” without fulfilment. In his view, governance without real power is “essentially no government,” and continuing to withhold statehood undermines both the credibility of democratic institutions and the trust of the people.

His appeal was equally forthright regarding the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, which he described as a moral obligation and a cultural necessity. He expressed disappointment that the community had still not been able to return home, noting that true reconciliation requires reviving the Valley’s shared ethos — the “original Kashmir” where Pandits and Muslims lived together with mutual respect and belonging. Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s triad of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jamhooriyat, he urged a renewed commitment to coexistence and cultural restoration.

He also reflected on the administrative reorganisation following the abrogation of Article 370, acknowledging that while the decision may have been considered necessary at the time, the promise of restoring statehood must now be honoured. He urged the Supreme Court to intervene where required, including in matters such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), to ensure fairness and constitutional propriety.

His address unfolded amid tributes to Mohammad Shafi Pandit — J&K’s first Muslim IAS officer — whose legacy of administrative innovation, public service, and civic engagement continues through the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC). Speakers including is chairman Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and former chief secretaries of J&K Chewang Phunsog, and Braj Raj Sharma highlighted Pandit’s contributions to governance, decentralisation, and social reform, underscoring the enduring relevance of his vision.

In his own remarks, Ganai paid a heartfelt tribute to Pandit, recalling their association since 1985 and describing him as a reformist administrator whose innovations — particularly the concept of single-line administration — reshaped governance in J&K. He recounted anecdotes from Pandit’s career, highlighting his integrity, administrative acumen, and unwavering commitment to public welfare across roles ranging from Agriculture Secretary and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to Finance Secretary and Chairman of the Public Service Commission. Srinagar, he said, had truly mourned “one of its illustrious sons” upon his passing in 2024.

Turning to the present political landscape, Ganai spoke candidly about the challenges confronting the elected Union Territory government. He noted widespread disappointment with what many perceive as the “lacklustre performance” of the current administration, despite having a young Chief Minister with political skill. He argued that the continued denial of statehood remains a major handicap, limiting the government’s authority and weakening democratic accountability. Restoration of statehood, he stressed, must happen quickly so that the elected government can no longer cite limited powers as an excuse and can instead be held fully responsible for governance outcomes.

Ganai reaffirmed the GCC’s role as a non-political civil society group committed to constitutional rights, social justice, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and public welfare. Founded by Pandit more than a decade ago, the GCC continues to work solely in the “public interest,” offering constructive suggestions to the government and advocating for the people of J&K.