Upset by Centre’s response on business rules, reservation report, Omar Abdullah warns of Gen Z-style agitation in J&K

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. File | Photo Credit: PTI

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday (August 14, 2026) cautioned the Centre of Gen Z-style agitation in the Union Territory if the Cabinet reservation report was not finalised. He also termed the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) “discriminatory” towards J&K, saying it “constrained our ability to use waters fully”.

Visibly upset about the Centre and the Lieutenant-Governor’s approach towards the elected government, Mr. Abdullah said, “On the reservation report (of the J&K Cabinet), questions were raised (by the L-G office). We sent our replies. Was it sent to Delhi? Tell us whether it was accepted or not? The situation is such that a Gen Z-like protest could take place and we will not be responsible for that.”

J&K’s fresh reservation policy, revised during the Lieutenant Governor’s rule, has reserved categories at 60% and the open category at 40%. After Mr. Abdullah election as a CM of J&K, he constituted a sub-committee to revise the policy and submitted a report to the L-G in 2025.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abdullah also accused the Centre of dilly dallying on the issue of Transaction of Business Rules, mandatory to be drafted as per the J&K Reorganisation Act to define the roles and domains of the office of Chief Minister, the Council of Ministers and the Lok Bhavan.

“There were queries and objections. We brought changes in it. We showed flexibility. We are waiting for it to be implemented. I am visiting Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise a few issues, and will raise this one too,” said Mr. Abdullah.

The rules are pending since Mr. Abdullah’s party won a majority of 42 seats in J&K in the 2024 elections. The L-G office and the CM office are yet to finalise the rules for smooth functioning of the elected government.

“J&K has the first right to its rivers. The IWT constrained our ability to use them fully. That chapter must remain closed, we must be free to utilise our waters for drinking, irrigation, navigation and power,” said Mr. Abdullah.

Under the treaty, signed by the two countries in 1960, India has full rights over three eastern rivers of Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. The treaty allowed Pakistan full rights over three western rivers of Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

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