Baramulla, May 12: For a few hours on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir’s fractious politics gave way to an uncommon sight — ruling National Conference leaders walking alongside Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, with Peoples Democratic Party workers and independents swelling the crowd, all united by one slogan: Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir.
The 100-day campaign launched by the LG to choke cross-border narcotics supply from Pakistan and ensure exemplary punishment for traffickers has, against all political odds, created a rare coalition of convenience — one where ideological differences are not resolved, but set aside for a larger cause.
At the padyatra that began from Showkat Ali Stadium and ended at Dak Banglow Baramulla, the political symbolism was hard to miss. Cabinet Minister Javid Ahmad Dar — a senior National Conference leader — walked alongside LG Sinha. With him were NC MLAs Javid Hassan Baigh, Irshad Rasool Kar, and Farooq Ahmad Shah. PDP workers too joined in, alongside independent leaders Touseef Raina other social activists.
“This is not an administration event — this is an event of every Kashmiri,” cabinet minister Javed Ahmad Dar Dar told Kashmir Convener. “Our Kashmir was first destroyed by terrorism. Now drugs are finishing what remained. The same forces are now targeting our youth.”
“From every village, every city, every mosque community, youth and students — everyone is participating,” Dar said. “This is the first time people have come with the head of state. This is people’s love for LG Manoj Sinha.”
MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar called it “a good cause” and confirmed that a mass pledge-taking ceremony was held. “School children, government officers, political workers — everyone took an oath.”
Youth leader Touseef Raina described the turnout as a “sea of people”, adding, “LG Sinha asked us to dedicate two hours daily in mosques and community spaces for awareness. We must also focus on rehabilitating those affected.”
The cause everyone agrees on — and the fault lines that remain Yet, beneath the optics of unity, familiar political tremors persist.
Earlier this month, Health Minister Sakina Ittoo pointed to a troubling disparity. “Jammu has more drug addicts than Kashmir, but properties are being demolished only in Kashmir,” she said, questioning the bulldozer approach. “Seizing a father’s property for a son’s alleged crime is proper discrimination.”
Awami Ittehad Party MLA Sheikh Khursheed went a step further, arguing that a truly “nasha mukt” UT must begin by banning alcohol — still legally and openly sold. That demand triggered a fresh exchange between PDP’s Iltija Mufti and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Mufti questioned the government’s moral authority to fight drugs while expanding liquor vends. CM Abdullah countered, pointing to revenue realities and personal liberty — arguing that narcotics and legal alcohol remain separate enforcement domains.
But on the ground in Baramulla, the message was one of shared urgency.
For now, the campaign has done what few political initiatives have in recent years: it has brought everyone to the same platform. Whether that unity outlasts the 100 days remains to be seen.
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