Omar Abdullah’s “Green” Signal

Omar Abdullah has taken the reigns of power for the second time in Jammu and Kashmir. He has the distinction of assuming the office of Chief minister in two totally different situations. First it was in 2009 when he completed his full term as the Chief minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. Now he has taken over as the Chief minister when Jammu and Kashmir has been reorganized after the neutralization of Article 370 and 35A and transformed into a Union Territory (UT). Omar Abdullah has evolved over the years and this is indeed due to his gaining of experience in the state craft. He has sent concilliatory signals and indicating cooperation with the Centre for smooth governance that must make it clear, he wants harmonious relationship with the Centre. Example of New Delhi as a UT must make it clear that Centre-UT feuds end people in an administrative trauma. Hope Jammu and Kashmir doesnot get entangled in this logjam. Omar Abdullah has given the right signals from the day one, the National Conference has got the mandate and emerged as the party secuing the highest number of seats. Be it the promise of taking both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir together in decision making or the equitable development. After assuming the office of the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah has been clear that there should be no “Green Corridor” when his cavalcade moves on the streets of Jammu and Kashmir. So that the common masses are not made to suffer due to VIP movement. He has also underlined that he will urge his ministers to follow the suit, making the lives of the people hassle free on the streets. This measure if followed in letter and spirit will lead to developing a society in which there will be no ill will among the masses for those at the helm of affairs. He also said that there should be no arrogant waiving of battons on the beats by the police men. Omar Abdullah though has remarked on an issue that may be ignored by the people, taking it as the insignia of the might of the state but it has a strong psychological and sociological resonance. There is a need to take the people out of the situation that has transformed our society into an over policed state. The legislature must internalise that they are not above the law but have gained powers to be with the people and not to be distanced from the people. Security is not the fear. It is confidence in the conviction of the state to uphold the freedom of free movement of the people. The people need to be freed from the years of depression due to ethno-teligious conflict. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sent a strong message and it resonates well with the common masses, who want their lives to be normal and not guided by the abnormal policies. His statement to do away with the “Green Corridor” is infact the “Green Signal” for the good governance where each citizen is coopted as a stakeholder in social responsibility. Thus Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s “Green Signal” must be welcomed as it sends a strong message for a new governance model that is in sync with the need of the times.