Passionate Defense: Omar Abdullah Fights for Tulbul Project Amidst Indus Waters Treaty Freeze, Sparking Controversy with Mehbooba Mufti
The political climate in Jammu and Kashmir intensified on Friday as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti clashed over the contentious Tulbul Navigation Barrage project on Wullar Lake. This debate comes in light of the Central Government’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, following a terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives.
The IWT, in effect since 1960 and facilitated by the World Bank, has been the framework governing water-sharing arrangements between India and Pakistan for over six decades. Last month, India decided to place the treaty on hold, prompting Abdullah to revisit the long-dormant Tulbul project, asking rhetorically if the suspension of the IWT might pave the way for its revival. “The Wular lake in North Kashmir has civil works visible in this video; the Tulbul Navigation Barrage began in the early 1980s but was halted due to pressure from Pakistan under the IWT. Now that the IWT is ‘temporarily suspended’, will we be able to resume the project?” he posted on X.
Abdullah, a longstanding critic of the IWT, believes that completing the barrage can provide significant advantages, including facilitating navigation along the Jhelum River and enhancing power generation for downstream projects, particularly during winter months.
However, his remarks were met with sharp criticism from Mehbooba Mufti, who termed his suggestion as “deeply unfortunate” and “dangerously provocative.” In her response on X, Mufti highlighted the irresponsibility of discussing such a project amid rising tensions between the two nations. She stated, “J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s call to revive the Tulbul Navigation Project during heightened tensions is not just unfortunate; it’s also potentially inflammatory.”
Mufti emphasized the importance of not “weaponizing water,” especially after both nations recently stepped back from the brink of full-scale conflict. She noted the significant suffering experienced in Jammu and Kashmir due to violence, asserting that “Our people deserve peace just like anyone else. Water is life-giving; its weaponization risks internationalizing a bilateral issue.”
In retaliation, Abdullah accused Mufti of prioritizing political image over the actual interests of Jammu and Kashmir. “What is truly unfortunate is your blind attempt to score cheap publicity points while neglecting that the IWT has been one of the greatest historical betrayals of the interests of the people of J&K,” he stated.
He further clarified that opposing the treaty does not equate to advocating war. Instead, Abdullah framed it as an essential step toward reclaiming Jammu and Kashmir’s rights to its water resources. “Opposing a blatantly unfair treaty is not warmongering; it’s about rectifying a historic injustice that denies the people of J&K the right to use our water,” he expressed.
This exchange underscores the ongoing tension surrounding water rights and political narratives in Jammu and Kashmir. The discourse reflects broader issues of regional governance, resource allocation, and the historical context of India-Pakistan relations, highlighting the complex interplay of politics and the pressing needs of local communities.
As the debate unfolds, it remains clear that water-related issues will continue to provoke strong reactions and shape the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
Original Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tulbul-project-omar-abdullah-mehbooba-mufti-indus-waters-treaty-jammu-kashmir-india-pak-conflict-2725855-2025-05-16
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Publish Date: 2025-05-16 16:40:00
