Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday had a special word for Governors of all the states in the country, ‘to play the role of effective bridge between the Centre and the state and interact with people and social organizations in a manner to coopt those, who are under-privileged.’ These words have a special resonance for Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory that is battling on multiple fronts – fighting terrorism , corruption and overall inertia . This fight is on despite many successes that the UT achieved in the past five years
At the moment, the country is caught in between several contradictory narratives, and there is a very sinister attempt to divide society and blame the Centre for all the ills. This fissiparous tendency has harmed the interest of the country at the altar of narrow political considerations. As result, some of the states are in perennial fight with Raj Bhavans . This contest is at the root of a number of problems and several institutions have come under threat. This contest is visible in Karnataka, Punjab, West Bengal and few other states.

NEWS ANALYSIS

The Governors act as eyes and ears of the Centre and they also have an obligation to get the things corrected for the peoples of the states whenever the political governments deviate from the constitutional agenda. The Governors are there to safeguard the Constitution, checking and curbing the disturbing trends, which are guided by parochial politics in different states.
It should be understood that the Governors are there to guide the governments to walk on the path laid down by the Constitution, work for the people all the time. This is not a surveillance but a duty of the men and women in Raj Bhavans. The problem also arises when Governors’ reports are looked other way round. Jammu and Kashmir has provided so many examples when the reports of the Governors, alerting the Centre about the emerging threats to national security were thrown into dustbins. There were times when the Congress-ruled Centre would not pay any attention to the appearance of the secessionist movements in Kashmir simply because the Congress and regional parties were in alliance. The national security was berated, paving way for political expediencies.
Much before the 1987 Assembly polls, which were widely alleged to be rigged, the then Governor Jagmohan had sent a number of reports that listed concerns about the rising activities of the inimical forces, undermining the national interest. His reports were not taken seriously by the Centre because Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress and National C0onference were alliance partners in the government. In such circumstances, Governor was reduced to a non-entity. Jagmohan’s words became prophetic. The terrorism took roots in Kashmir after the 1987 Assembly polls, but the terrorism had started taking shape before that. An ever vigilant Governor and the Centre willing to listen to unpalatable things, ignoring the political compulsions and alliances, form a core to democracy. The Centre must trust the Governor and the Governor should live up to his duty. Times have gone when the Raj Bhavan used to be a house for retired bureaucrats and politicians, who outlived their political careers, it is time for proactive Governors, who keep the national interest in their personal and professional portfolio.
J&K has suffered because of the gaps- between the Centre and the state governments, isolated Raj Bhavans. The fact is that the political governments in states have their own political compulsions, but in J&K these compulsions seriously impacted the national interest. The vigilant Governors did play their role, but their efforts to spotlight ills were stonewalled by the Centre for one reason or the other. Jammu and Kashmir is a critical feature of the national security and is positioned as crown of the country. Therefore, it makes special demands on the persons living in Raj Bhavan.
As of today, J&K is a Union Territory, and Lieutenant Governor holds all powers, but after the elections , the things will not remain the same despite the Centre having vested almost all powers to the office of LG. There are examples coming from Delhi which are violative of the division of powers. J&K is an important place, its borders are with Pakistan and PoJK, and by extension with China in Ladakh. The national security is interlinked; it doesn’t get separated by the separate union territories.
LG Manoj Sinha has set many examples, which helped J&K to stabilize in the most difficult situations. He accommodated his role as a representative of the Centre and also that of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with finesse. Manoj Sinha exemplifies perfect and effective bridge between Delhi and the people of the Union Territory..
It is time to take note of each and every word spoken by Prime Minister at the Governor’s’ Conference on Friday. He has underscored the importance of the post of Governor as an “institution which could play a crucial role in the welfare of people of the State within the framework of the Constitution, particularly with reference to tribal areas.” Each and every word holds special significance for J&K.