Omar Abdullah Slams Manoj Sinha in Fiery Row Over JKAS Transfers, Calls It Unconstitutional Move

Srinagar, April 5, 2025 – A fresh constitutional showdown is brewing in Jammu and Kashmir as Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister and current coalition leader, publicly slammed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over the transfer of 48 JKAS officers without the consent of the elected government.

The row erupted after the General Administration Department (GAD) issued transfer orders for 48 middle-rung Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers — including 14 Additional Deputy Commissioners and 26 Sub-Divisional Magistrates — under the direct instruction of LG Manoj Sinha.

Omar Abdullah: “This Is Not Raj Bhawan Raj”

In a strong-worded response, Omar Abdullah accused the Raj Bhawan of violating the spirit of democratic governance, stating that the transfers are a “clear overreach” of the Lieutenant Governor’s jurisdiction under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.

“The LG has no authority to transfer officers without consulting the elected government. This is not Raj Bhawan Raj. It’s the people’s mandate that must guide governance,” Abdullah told the press on Friday.

Omar, who leads the NC-Congress coalition, has reportedly written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and LG Sinha, demanding the immediate revocation of the orders.

Emergency Meeting and Political Backing

Following the development, Abdullah called an emergency meeting with alliance partners, including Congress, to discuss the political fallout. The joint statement from the ruling alliance accused the LG of “bulldozing democratic norms” and reiterated that the transfer of administrative officers falls within the purview of the elected government.

“The central government must respect the people’s mandate in J&K. The Reorganization Act does not grant blanket power to the LG,” the statement read.

Manoj Sinha Responds: “I Know My Jurisdiction”

Defending his decision, Manoj Sinha firmly stated that the transfers were legal and well within his jurisdiction as defined by the J&K Reorganization Act.

“I acted entirely within the domain defined by the law. I know my jurisdiction and will not cross it. The Parliament passed this Act, and I’m abiding by its provisions,” Sinha said during a press interaction.

According to the Raj Bhawan, the transferred officers were also serving as magistrates — thus falling under the LG’s authority regarding law and order, a domain still held by the Raj Bhawan under the Act.

Legal and Constitutional Implications

Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, governance-related matters are to be handled by the elected government, while the LG holds control over police, law, and order. However, legal experts suggest that the ambiguity in administrative overlap is now being tested in real time.

Constitutional analyst Dr. Altaf Reshi explains,

“The Act clearly demarcates responsibilities. However, revenue officers often handle both administrative and magisterial roles, which is where this conflict emerges.”

Omar Abdullah’s Political Stakes

This is not the first time Omar Abdullah has challenged decisions taken by the LG’s office. But this time, political stakes are higher, as the NC-Congress coalition seeks to assert civilian supremacy in a region still under tight central oversight.

Insiders say that Omar is planning to raise the issue in Parliament, seeking clarification on the scope of powers granted to the LG under Section 74 of the Reorganization Act.

Central Government’s Silence Raises Eyebrows

So far, the Union Home Ministry has not issued any formal response. Sources within the BJP say that while the Centre is “closely monitoring the situation,” it is unlikely to interfere immediately.

Political analyst Rehana Qadri told Hindustan Herald:

“The Modi government would want to avoid a perception battle in Kashmir ahead of elections. This issue might go quiet now but resurface during campaign time.”

Public Sentiment in the Valley

In Srinagar and other major cities, the officer reshuffle has stirred public debate. Some see the move as a bureaucratic issue, while others believe it is a “litmus test for federalism” in the Union Territory.

Social media has also exploded with support for Omar Abdullah.

What’s Next for Omar Abdullah?

Omar Abdullah is expected to convene a high-level strategy meeting next week to decide whether the matter will be taken to the Supreme Court, where the constitutional validity of the move could be challenged.

Meanwhile, LG Sinha has maintained a firm stand, indicating no rollback is currently being considered.

The standoff between Omar Abdullah and Manoj Sinha reflects a broader crisis of governance in post-Article 370 Kashmir. With legal, political, and public sentiment clashing, this latest JKAS transfer row could set the stage for a landmark confrontation over democratic rights versus centralized power in Jammu and Kashmir.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Delhi, and the next constitutional move Omar Abdullah is likely to make.

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