Shagun Parihar
In Jammu and Kashmir, the current focus of political discourses is the restoration of statehood. Many citizens view this as essential for their dignity, autonomy, and constitutional identity. This sentiment is deeply emotional and understandable. However, as this demand gains prominence in public debates, it is important to reflect on the region’s past experience with full statehood. The last few decades offer serious lessons that should inform, if not reshape, our future demands.
When Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed full statehood, it had complete control over its bureaucratic and political processes. However, those decades were not characterized by good governance. Corruption was widespread, development projects often faced delays or interruptions, and officials were frequently manipulated for political and personal gain. Even elected leaders, who were meant to represent the people, often engaged in patronage politics and narrow factionalism. This eroded the relationship between the Government and the governed, fueled by a lack of transparency, inefficiency, and a pervasive belief among citizens that their voices rarely reached decision-makers.
These issues were not isolated incidents but rather structural problems inherent in the administration’s operation. Statehood did not automatically lead to better governance or increased accountability; in fact, it sometimes widened the gap between those in power and the citizens they served. While the symbolic value of political status should not be dismissed, it is crucial to acknowledge that symbols alone do not enhance people’s everyday experiences of governance.
The shift to Union Territory status in 2019 was significant. While political discussions continue around this change, one clear outcome has been the improvement in certain governance processes. This improvement was largely due to a closer administrative relationship between the region and the Central Government. Many systems that had resisted reform for years began to become more transparent and efficient, primarily because of the Centre’s push for digitalization.
Processes such as property records, birth and death certificates, public service applications, and certain welfare scheme registrations went online. Citizens who once had to repeatedly visit Government offices often waiting for hours or navigating unofficial “facilitation” found that they could now access services directly through a smartphone or a local internet kiosk. Grievances could be submitted online and tracked without the fear of being lost in bureaucratic delays. For a region as geographically diverse and often hard to reach as Jammu and Kashmir, these changes represented real progress in citizens’ rights.
The social impact of this shift is substantial. Digital systems reshape the relationship between citizens and the state by making processes more visible, traceable, and less dependent on personal connections, especially in a region like Jammu and Kashmir, where such connections are often influenced by communal relations. In an area with a long history of administrative obscurity, this transparency is transformative. It creates a new kind of trust, not based on political promises, but on the ability to see governance in action.
That is why future demands should move beyond the simple restoration of the old statehood model. We have seen the drawbacks of statehood alone, particularly when systemic reforms are lacking: persistent corruption, bureaucratic manipulation, and political stalemate. Jammu and Kashmir should aim not for a return to the past, but for a leap toward a Digital State-a governance model where every citizen can access their rights, services, and decision-making platforms from anywhere in the region or even the world.
A Digital State is not about replacing human governance with machines; it is about integrating technology into administrative processes to make them more efficient, accountable, and inclusive. In an area where mountains and weather can isolate entire districts, digital systems ensure that governance continues even when physical access is blocked. They enable real-time recording of grievances, open tracking of welfare benefits, and monitoring of Government spending by the very people whose taxes support these services.
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir, who comprise the majority of the population, are already immersed in a digital-first world. Their aspirations are shaped not only by local conditions but also by the global opportunities they encounter online. A governance system that aligns with their digital skills will not only retain talent but also create new economic opportunities such as remote work, online entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and digital tourism services that can reduce reliance on seasonal industries and fragile infrastructure.
Security can also benefit from this model. Rather than depending heavily on physical checkpoints and manual record-keeping, a Digital State can incorporate secure online identification systems, digital policing tools, and predictive analytics to enhance law enforcement without being intrusive. In the unique context of Jammu and Kashmir, where security arrangements have historically impacted daily life, this shift could alleviate public concerns while maintaining safety.
Tourism, a key part of the local economy, could be transformed through digital platforms that provide virtual previews, easier booking processes, verified service listings, and multilingual guides. Religious tourism, which attracts thousands of pilgrims annually, could be managed with online permits and real-time updates to improve safety and logistics.
This vision comes with challenges. Internet access is uneven in some remote areas, and digital literacy levels vary widely. Additionally, cybersecurity risks and data privacy issues must be addressed from the start. However, these challenges are not insurmountable; they represent opportunities for collaboration among policymakers, communities, and technology experts. With universal high-speed internet, localized training programs, and strong legal protections, Jammu and Kashmir could set a benchmark for India’s most ambitious digital governance initiative.
Legitimacy in governance does not come solely from political status; it stems from everyday experiences of fairness, efficiency, and access. Statehood without operational transparency will not meet the needs of the people. A Digital State, however, has the potential to bridge the gap between authority and accountability. It focuses on how power is exercised and whether it benefits the public, rather than simply who holds that power.
It is time to broaden the conversation. While calling for statehood remains a political demand, it should be linked to a vision for meaningful change. Jammu and Kashmir can either revert to a flawed model that history has proven ineffective or pioneer a governance approach that aligns with the realities of the 21st century. The latter path would not erase history; it would prevent it from repeating itself through missed opportunities and broken promises.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than just a symbolic restoration. They deserve a system that functions regardless of their location, one that listens to their concerns without requiring physical presence, and that treats every citizen’s time, dignity, and rights as essential. In the era of Digital India, such a system is not merely a distant dream, but a concrete possibility.
Jammu and Kashmir should not only request statehood; it should demand a future: a digital state that ensures efficiency, transparency, and opportunities for every citizen, from the most remote mountain village to the global diaspora. The technology is available, and effective governance models exist. The question is whether we have the courage to seek more than just a return to the past.
(The author is MLA Kishtwar)
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