Jammu, February 3, 2026 : Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and MLA M Y Tarigami on Tuesday raised serious concerns over what he termed the “disempowerment” of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, asserting that despite a clear public mandate, elected representatives are unable to exercise their authority effectively.
Speaking during the discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the Assembly, Tarigami said that while the address acknowledged the mandate of the people after Assembly elections held following a seven-year gap, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
“Ministers themselves say they are disempowered. What pains me more is that the entire House feels disempowered,” Tarigami said, adding that officers often do not listen to elected representatives — a concern privately shared by members across party lines.
He questioned the very purpose of the Union Territory framework if the Assembly continues to remain weak and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on why democratic institutions are not being empowered despite a historic mandate.
Raising environmental concerns, Tarigami described Jammu and Kashmir’s ecosystem as “extremely fragile” and called for the introduction of a separate climate budget, on the lines of some other states, to address ecological vulnerabilities.
On unemployment, the CPI(M) leader said Jammu and Kashmir continues to record one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. While youth issues are often discussed, he questioned the effectiveness of current job-creation measures and urged the government to make employment generation a top priority.
Addressing the reservation issue, Tarigami said reservation is a legitimate right of socially underprivileged communities but cautioned that meritorious students should not be ignored, warning that imbalance could trigger unrest. He demanded a detailed debate in the Assembly and sought clarity on when the report of the committee on reservation rationalisation would be implemented.
He also flagged inadequate flood relief and restoration, stating that floods had devastated homes, apple orchards and agricultural livelihoods, and called for adequate compensation and rehabilitation for affected families.
On the security situation, Tarigami expressed concern over alleged harassment and detention of individuals on minor or unverified allegations, including the detention of an MLA under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
“There should be no compromise on security, but winning the trust of people is equally important. Indiscriminate actions and prolonged detentions will only weaken the security environment,” he warned.
He questioned why detainees lodged outside Jammu and Kashmir could not be brought back and criticised demolition drives, insisting that any such action must strictly follow due legal process, including prior notice and the right to be heard.
Concluding his remarks, Tarigami said Jammu and Kashmir should not be treated as a favour but as a test case for Indian democracy, urging the government to restore public confidence by empowering the Assembly and addressing issues of governance, employment, environment and civil liberties.
