In a bold assertion of his tenure’s achievements and a commitment to public satisfaction, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared that he would resign if a secret ballot reveals that more than 75% of the people in Jammu and Kashmir believe that no significant welfare work has been done in the past five years. Speaking during a national news channel program on the picturesque banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Sinha stressed that his administration’s efforts should be gauged transparently through a secret ballot.
Public Sentiment and Satisfaction
Addressing recent criticisms from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, who has compared his governance to that of historical kings, Sinha highlighted the positive changes in daily life for locals. He pointed to the thriving nightlife in Srinagar’s restaurants and the enjoyment of recreational activities like snowball fights as indicators of improved conditions in the Valley.
Sinha also defended the current facilities available to Kashmiri Pandits, asserting that 85% of them are satisfied with the current arrangements. While acknowledging that there have been tragic losses among the Pandit community, he stated that such losses cannot be compensated but emphasized the improvements in their living conditions.
Security and Terrorism
On the issue of terrorism, Sinha confidently reported that significant progress has been made in dismantling the infrastructure of militant groups. He claimed that local recruitment for terrorism has ceased and that top militant commanders have been neutralized. Furthermore, he noted that incidents of stone-pelting have ended and that public institutions are functioning smoothly.
Sinha criticized Pakistan’s attempts to infiltrate foreign terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, but reassured that security forces are actively countering these threats. He expressed optimism that militancy in the region would soon come to an end.
Political and Electoral Developments
Regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha reiterated that Home Minister Amit Shah had confirmed that statehood would be granted at an appropriate time following Assembly elections. He dismissed concerns about the delay in restoring statehood, insisting that it is a matter of timing and not a lack of intention.
Sinha also welcomed the upcoming Assembly elections, slated to begin on September 18, and assured that they would be conducted in a free and fair manner. He credited the high voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha polls, which reached 58.46%—the highest in 35 years—for reflecting the people’s trust in Indian democracy and their rejection of Pakistan’s influence.
Future Prospects and Support
In his concluding remarks, Sinha expressed his readiness to support whichever party forms the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, provided their agenda focuses on peace, prosperity, and development. He emphasized that his administration’s role is to support the democratic process and ensure the continued growth and stability of the region.
Sinha’s tenure as Lieutenant Governor, which began in 2020, has been marked by significant political and social changes in Jammu and Kashmir, including the abrogation of Article 370, which he reiterated is now a permanent part of the constitutional landscape, upheld by the Supreme Court.
