Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday articulated a clear message regarding the future of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the restoration of full statehood is not only desirable but represents the collective aspiration of the entire country, including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on the sidelines of a public event in Bihar, Khan emphasised that while the central government and the wider nation support the idea of Jammu and Kashmir resuming its role as a fully empowered state, it is essential for the region itself to cultivate the conditions required for such a transition.

Khan was responding to a question about the existing dual governance arrangement in Jammu and Kashmir, where the Union Territory is jointly administered by the Lieutenant Governor and the elected representatives, further complicated by the overarching authority of the central government after the constitutional reorganisation of August 2019. The governor highlighted that the eventual objective—agreed upon across political lines—is to see the region return to full-fledged statehood under stable, peaceful and “normal” conditions.

“We are all concerned and we want normal conditions,” Khan said. He underscored that the path to statehood is not an externally imposed goal but reflects a shared national sentiment. “This is everyone’s desire. This is the desire of the whole of India,” he added. According to Khan, Prime Minister Modi personally wishes to see Jammu and Kashmir administer itself as a state, free from the security challenges and political disruptions that have shaped the region’s recent history. However, he stressed that the responsibility to create this conducive environment is not solely that of the central government. “It is your and our job to create those conditions,” he said, urging citizens and leaders in the region to work collectively toward restoring societal equilibrium.

Khan’s remarks, while measured, carried a clear message regarding the long-standing geopolitical and ideological fault lines in Jammu and Kashmir. In an indirect reference to Pakistan, he stated that the “hatred planted” by hostile neighbors must be completely uprooted if lasting peace is to be achieved. He suggested that the legacies of partition continue to cast a heavy shadow over the region, pointing out that the political and territorial consequences of 1947 fundamentally altered the landscape of Kashmir. “Partition brought about a new situation with regard to Kashmir,” Khan noted, before referring to the reflections of Maulana Azad, whose writings acknowledged the historical grievances and mistakes committed by different communities. According to Khan, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have borne the heaviest cost of those divisions.

Reflecting on decades of conflict, the governor lamented the fact that the brunt of the suffering historically falls on ordinary citizens. “Very innocent people come into conflict,” he observed, drawing a theological analogy in which he noted that whenever conflict spreads, its destructive effects are not confined to the instigators but engulf large numbers of innocent people. He implied that the cycle of violence, fear and political instability has made it difficult for Kashmir to experience the same rule of law and predictability that prevail in other parts of the country.

In the latter part of his address, Khan shifted focus to the upcoming electoral process in Bihar, where the first phase of polling for the state assembly elections is scheduled to take place on Thursday. He confirmed that all administrative and logistical preparations for the elections are complete and expressed confidence in the state machinery’s ability to conduct the polls smoothly. Describing elections as a “celebration of democracy,” he reiterated that India’s political system stands as a powerful demonstration of the principle that social or familial background does not determine who can rise to govern.

“The person who runs the government is chosen through the ballot box. They receive a mandate from the people. They are not sovereign; the people of this country are sovereign,” Khan said. His comments sought to reinforce the democratic ethos that leadership in India is grounded in electoral legitimacy rather than inherited privilege.

To underline this point, Khan cited the personal journeys of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of whom rose from humble beginnings to occupy the highest constitutional offices in the country. Their ascent, he argued, is emblematic of a political system that allows any citizen, regardless of caste, class, or economic status, to aspire to positions of national leadership. “What message does this send to the common man, especially to the youth?” he asked. “It shows that there are no restrictions on how high you can aspire to go. But you must earn the trust of the people. After that, the sky is the limit.”

Returning to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Khan reiterated that the goal of restoring statehood is fundamentally tied to stabilising normalcy. He argued that the legal and administrative mechanisms that operate smoothly across the country should eventually prevail in Kashmir as well. “Where the normal law is going on everywhere, the same way it will go on in Kashmir,” he said, indicating that the central government intends for the region to enjoy the same institutional stability as the rest of India once the security environment improves.

Khan’s remarks come at a sensitive time in the political discourse surrounding Jammu and Kashmir, where questions about elections, democratic representation, and the timeline for restoring statehood continue to dominate debate. His comments lend additional weight to the central government’s repeated assurance that statehood will be granted, but only after the situation on the ground is judged to be conducive.

While he avoided offering specific timelines or conditions, Khan’s emphasis on collective responsibility suggests that both the public and the political leadership in Jammu and Kashmir have a crucial role to play in shaping the region’s future. The broader implication is that statehood is not merely an administrative decision awaiting technical approval but a political milestone tied intrinsically to peace, stability, and trust-building.

In concluding his remarks, Khan reiterated that the nation remains invested in the well-being of Jammu and Kashmir. The desire to see the region return to full statehood, he said, “is not just the desire of the people of Kashmir; it is the desire of the whole of India.”