For the first time in the history of democracy, the Chief Minister’s throne in Jammu & Kashmir is exercised not through real governance, but through a Twitter handle. The region is being ruled by digital optics rather than ground-level administration, where power is wielded through tweets, selective responses, and orchestrated PR stunts, while real grievances remain ignored.
Even more alarming is the continued betrayal of democratic promises, particularly the delay in restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, despite clear assurances from the Supreme Court of India and the Parliament. Additionally, the much-hyped Reservation Policy Committee, which has been under deliberation for months, has yielded no resolution or concrete outcome, leaving the people in uncertainty.
This raises critical questions: Is governance in J&K dictated by real leadership or social media engagement? Why has statehood, already ensured by the highest judicial and legislative bodies—not been restored? Why has the Reservation Policy Committee failed to produce results despite prolonged deliberations?
The Twitter Throne, Power Without Responsibility: Jammu & Kashmir’s government has abandoned traditional governance mechanisms, replacing them with a hollow digital performance. Instead of addressing public grievances through structured policies and administrative action, the Chief Minister and bureaucratic machinery respond selectively only when issues gain enough social media traction.
Symptoms of This Failed Governance Model:
- Public grievances remain unresolved unless they go viral.
- Major policy decisions are confined to Twitter announcements with no execution.
- Government offices remain inaccessible, with bureaucrats enjoying unchecked power.
- Critical issues such as employment, infrastructure, and economic development are sidelined in favor of digital PR campaigns.
The absence of real leadership and the overreliance on digital gimmicks have created a governance model that serves not the people, but the ruling elite’s political convenience.
The Betrayal of Statehood, Why Delay? The Supreme Court of India and the Indian Parliament have clearly ensured that Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood will be restored. Yet, despite these authoritative assurances: No formal roadmap or timeline has been announced. The incumbent Chief Minister remains silent, avoiding any serious engagement on the issue. Statehood remains in limbo, with no accountability from the ruling administration. The denial of statehood is not just a legal and political failureit is a direct insult to democratic values. The people of J&K are being held hostage by deliberate delays and administrative apathy.
“The deliberate delay in statehood, the failure of the reservation policy committee, and the governance-by-Twitter approach reveal an administration that rules by deception rather than duty. If this government cannot deliver, it has no right to sit on the throne. The people of J&K must demand real governance, real accountability, and real action beyond the illusion of social media theatrics.”
The Stalled Reservation Policy Committee A Summit Without Results! Another glaring failure of the J&K government is the non-deliverance of the much-awaited reservation policy. The committee responsible for addressing this issue has been in discussion for months, yet there is:
No concrete resolution or framework !
No timeline for implementation !
No communication from the administration regarding progress !
This prolonged indecision is causing frustration among marginalized communities, students, and job-seekers who were expecting policy reforms. Instead, they are left in a state of uncertainty, mismanagement, and administrative neglect.
A Government Of Whims, Not Democracy: The present administration functions on convenience rather than commitment. Instead of addressing public concerns, it operates on a whimsical governance model, where power is used selectively and accountability is nonexistent.
What Must Change?
- Immediate Action on Statehood Restoration: The government must announce a clear timeline for statehood, as promised by the Supreme Court and Parliament.
- Accountability Beyond Social Media: Governance must move beyond Twitter to real-world administrative action.
- Resolution Of The Reservation Policy Issue: The committee must finalize and implement a policy without further delays.
- Structural Reforms in Governance: There must be real public engagement, decentralization of power, and strict accountability measures for bureaucratic inefficiency.
J&K Needs Real Leadership, Not Digital Optics: The people of Jammu & Kashmir deserve more than Twitter statements and selective governance. They deserve a government that fulfills its promises, restores democratic institutions, and prioritizes real issues over digital PR. The deliberate delay in statehood, the failure of the reservation policy committee, and the governance-by-Twitter approach reveal an administration that rules by deception rather than duty. If this government cannot deliver, it has no right to sit on the throne. The people of J&K must demand real governance, real accountability, and real action beyond the illusion of social media theatrics.
(The author a lawyer by profession is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
