In conversation with Kashmir Magazine Correspondent Tawseef Hamdani, National Conference Rajya Sabha member Shami Oberoi speaks about the promise of statehood, the limits of the present administrative arrangement, the performance of the Omar Abdullah government, the concerns of the Sikh community, and the growing political differences involving fellow National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi, party’s Jantar Mantar protest and how he sees his role in Delhi.
Excerpts
KM: When we talk about Shami Oberoi and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region and then your own community, which is numerically small, the National Conference has given you the responsibility of representing Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha. How do you feel about that?
Shami Oberoi: I feel very proud. I consider myself lucky that the National Conference gave me this opportunity. Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah showed faith in me.
I am the first Kashmiri Sikh to have come to the Rajya Sabha. I believe this sends a new message about the secular credentials of my party and also about Dr Farooq Abdullah’s secular credentials across the country.
People have seen it and appreciated it. Many of my colleagues in the Rajya Sabha, whether from the Congress, the Opposition or the BJP, were happy about it. Even the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was pleased that a Muslim-majority region had sent a Sikh to represent it in Parliament.
KM: When you received the call that you were being sent to the Rajya Sabha, who informed you first?
Shami Oberoi: When I received the first information, I had actually undergone an operation and was at home. I came to know through the press after the General Secretary and Advisor-in-Chief made the announcement.
After that, I spoke to Mr Omar. He told me that Mr Farooq had decided that I would be sent to the Rajya Sabha and would represent the party there. Naturally, I was very happy. My father has also been an important part of my political journey. He served Jammu and Kashmir and remained associated with the party for nearly 50 years—from the Plebiscite Front to the National Conference until the end.
I have been associated with the party since 1996. Later, the party gave me the responsibility of Treasurer, and I worked extensively for the organisation. So, the trust that the party has placed in me is something I value greatly.
KM: To understand the idea of India, your appointment itself is an example. A Muslim-majority region has sent a Sikh representative to the Rajya Sabha. Now that you have this political responsibility, how do you understand the question of representing Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament?
Shami Oberoi: You have seen that I have had the opportunity to speak in the Rajya Sabha.
Whenever I have represented Jammu and Kashmir, most of my speeches have focused on statehood, our constitutional rights and issues concerning the people of the region.
We want our dignity, our constitutional rights and statehood to be restored as soon as possible. Every Kashmiri should have a reason to live with dignity. Governance has to be with the people and by the people.
I will continue to fight for this. I will continue to raise my voice and remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfil their promises. We should get our statehood back as soon as possible.
As far as our other constitutional rights are concerned, the National Conference has decided that we will continue to fight for them democratically and peacefully. We hope that one day our voice will be heard here in Delhi.
KM: When people from Jammu and Kashmir come to meet you in Delhi, do you expect Muslims, Punjabis, Sikhs, Christians and people from different communities to come to you? Do you feel proud that Jammu and Kashmir has sent you here?
Shami Oberoi: I am from the Sikh community, but I am also a born-and-brought-up Kashmiri.
I represent Jammu and Kashmir and my community in particular. But I have never felt that the people of Kashmir, Muslims, or the Dogras and Hindus of Jammu and Kashmir have made me feel different.
I was brought up in Kashmir. All my friends are from there. I have never felt any difference between them and me. The party has sent me here and given me a great deal of respect so that I can serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
KM: The Omar Abdullah government is facing several challenges. There is also a difficult situation within the National Conference over the absence of statehood. During the election, the party made several promises. Do you think those promises have been fulfilled?
Shami Oberoi: When we campaigned, we presented our manifesto. Whenever a political party prepares a manifesto, it is generally for a five-year term.
Of course, we have to deliver during those five years. When we fought the election, we were told that first there would be delimitation, then elections, and then statehood would be restored. The Prime Minister and Home Minister also said on the floor of the House that statehood would be returned as soon as possible.
They repeated the same position through the Attorney General before the Supreme Court.
So, we were also hoping that we would get statehood as soon as possible. It has been almost two years and we are still waiting.
There is also a difference in governance because today we have a dual administrative structure. There is the Lieutenant Governor and there is Mr Omar Abdullah. Jammu and Kashmir has not been given the full powers of a state. Because of that, there are many things we have not been able to deliver.
God willing, we will do them. I have full faith in Mr Omar’s leadership. He is a sincere person and he will try his best to deliver on the promises during this term.
KM: The Opposition, including the PDP and People’s Conference, repeatedly says the National Conference has failed during its first two years. Is it also true that little is visible on the ground? Where is the statehood and where is the delivery on promises?
Shami Oberoi: It is not like that. A lot of work has been done. The ministers are working. There has been considerable development.
New roads have been constructed. New poles and infrastructure have been developed. Schools have been upgraded and hospitals have also been upgraded. But you know how the Opposition works. They don’t highlight the good work.
The work that has been left incomplete because of governance issues and the absence of statehood is more enjoyable for them to highlight. But realistically, we have done a lot of work. Mr Omar has also done a lot of work.
If you sit down and look at it, we can tell you how much work has been done during these two years. The reports are available.
KM: The community you belong to also has several concerns. How are you going to take them up with Mr Omar Abdullah?
Shami Oberoi: Our community has a few demands. One of them concerns the Punjabi language. There is also a demand for minority status, and lately there has been a demand for a dedicated board, similar to the boards created for other communities.
I have already taken some of these issues up with Mr Omar, and I will take up the remaining issues with him as well. I hope that the concerns of our community, which has always stood with Jammu and Kashmir and lived in harmony with the majority population, will be addressed.
KM: The current parliamentary situation is interesting. Ruhullah Mehdi has started his own movement, while you have been part of the INDIA bloc’s efforts in Parliament. Where is the National Conference failing? Ruhullah is your party’s MP and he is unhappy with the party leadership. What kind of situation is this?
Shami Oberoi: I don’t know what you mean by a split. Ruhullah Mehdi is a member of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and an MP from the National Conference.
Our paths can be different, but we have the same goal. We have also protested for statehood. We went to Jantar Mantar and demanded constitutional rights. We want the government to give us statehood, as they themselves promised that first there would be delimitation and elections and then statehood would be restored.
We also want to fight democratically for our constitutional rights, including land laws, job opportunities and job security. These are our priorities. We will never leave them.
KM: You have mentioned constitutional rights. What is the National Conference’s present position on Article 370 and 35A?
Shami Oberoi: You know the position of the National Conference. When I gave my speech in the Rajya Sabha, I made it clear that Article 370 and 35A are also non-negotiable for us. Our party remains committed to fighting for them democratically and peacefully.
KM: Let me ask you a personal question. When are you going to convince Ruhullah Mehdi?
Shami Oberoi: Ruhullah doesn’t need to convince me. Ruhullah needs to come and join the party.
KM: Are you missing him?
Shami Oberoi: The party functions when everyone works together. The party moves under its flag and under its leadership. Whoever wants to move with us is most welcome.
KM: The Jantar Mantar programme, if you had to give it marks out of 10, what would you give it? Critics say the protest failed to reach the public and that something was missing.
Shami Oberoi: There was nothing missing in that protest. All our MLAs, MPs and independent MLAs came to Jantar Mantar. Our MLAs from Congress also came. Mr Kara, Mr Mir and the CLP leader came to Jantar Mantar. They came from Kashmir. They represent Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, the entire Jammu and Kashmir was represented at Jantar Mantar.
There was also a separate protest by other groups, and I agree that we got mixed up with them. The Centre took note of our protest.
You cannot say that we were not noticed or that our protest was not good. Our protest was very good.
What could be a better protest than this? All the MPs, MLAs and the Congress representatives came. We also invited the Opposition.
They themselves decided not to come with us.
KM: Mehbooba Mufti did not come to your stage. She appeared at another platform. What do you make of that?
Shami Oberoi: Mehbooba Mufti is from an Opposition party. We tried to bring her along on the issue of Kashmir, but she chose a different path. We should respect her choice.
KM: You had said that if Mehbooba Mufti comes to your stage, you would invite her to the National Conference?
Shami Oberoi: If Mehbooba Mufti comes to our stage, she should join the National Conference.
KM: There are reports that a reshuffle is likely in the Omar Abdullah government. When is it going to happen?
Shami Oberoi: Mr Omar has already given a statement that there will be a reshuffle. I also hope there will be a reshuffle.
KM: Mr Omar is also known for taking U-turns. Is there a possibility of a U-turn on this as well?
Shami Oberoi: Mr Omar has said there will be a reshuffle. He has not given an exact date.
It is the Chief Minister’s choice. I hope new ministers will be brought in and the vacant positions will be filled so that they can serve the people.
KM: You are representing Jammu and Kashmir in Delhi. What are the major issues that you think need immediate attention? Education, health, employment, where do you want the government to focus?
Shami Oberoi: I want the youth who are not getting job opportunities to be given employment opportunities.
That should happen in both the government and private sectors. If young people get employment, it will give them confidence and make them happier. We will try our best to create more job opportunities for them.
Health infrastructure is also extremely important. The education system needs to be upgraded. According to me, the state government is trying its best.
KM: Is Shami Oberoi working as a bridge between the National Conference and the Central Government?
Shami Oberoi: I have been sent to Delhi to represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I want to put my party’s views before the people here. I want to explain to the people of Delhi what is best for our state. I want to take advantage of the opportunities available here to raise the issues that concern Jammu and Kashmir.
KM: So, would you describe yourself as a mediator between the National Conference and the Central Government?
Shami Oberoi: All the MPs from Jammu and Kashmir have a role in this. I cannot say that I am the only one, but I try my best.
KM: Thank you very much for your time.
Shami Oberoi: Thank you.
