Srinagar: A fierce war of words erupted between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti over the revival of the long-stalled Tulbul Navigation Project in North Kashmir, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The controversy erupted after Omar on Thursday suggested that the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) could pave the way for the resumption of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage in the Wullar lake in north Kashmir, which was abandoned in the 1980s following Pakistan’s objections.
He argued that the project would not only revive navigation on the Jhelum river but also boost power generation during lean winter months.
However, Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at Omar, accusing him of making “irresponsible and provocative” statements at a time when Jammu and Kashmir has suffered the most from the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
“J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s call to revive the Tulbul Navigation Project amid ongoing tensions between India & Pakistan is deeply unfortunate. At a time when both countries have just stepped back from the brink of a full-fledged war—with Jammu and Kashmir bearing the brunt through the loss of innocent lives, widespread destruction and immense suffering such statements are not only irresponsible but also dangerously provocative,” she said on X. “Our people deserve peace as much as anyone else in the country. Weaponizing something as essential and life-giving as water is not only inhumane but also risks internationalizing what should remain a bilateral matter.”
Omar hit back, accusing Mehbooba of trying to appease elements across the border for political mileage.
“Actually, what is unfortunate is that with your blind lust to try to score cheap publicity points & please some people sitting across the border, you refuse to acknowledge that the IWT has been one of the biggest historic betrayals of the interests of the people of J&K,” Omar said on X.
He defended his stand against the Indus Water Treaty.
“ I have always opposed this treaty & I will continue to do so. Opposing a blatantly unfair treaty is in no way, shape, size, or form warmongering; it’s about correcting a historic injustice that denied the people of J&K the right to use our water for ourselves,” Omar said.
Mehbooba responded by invoking Omar’s political lineage, reminding him that once Sheikh Abdullah advocated for accession to Pakistan.
“Time will reveal who seeks to appease whom. However, it’s worth recalling that your esteemed grandfather, Sheikh Sahab once advocated for accession to Pakistan for over two decades after losing power. But post being reinstated as Chief Minister, he suddenly reversed his stance by aligning with India,” Mehbooba said.
She added that her party had always stood by its “convictions and commitments.”
“In contrast the PDP has consistently upheld its convictions & commitments & unlike your party, whose loyalties have shifted dramatically according to political expediency,” she said.
“We don’t need to stoke tensions or adopt warmongering rhetoric to validate our dedication. Our actions speak for themselves,” she said.
Omar then asked Mehbooba if this was the best argument she could bring in.
“Is that really the best you can do? Taking cheap shots at a person you yourself have called Kashmir’s tallest leader. I’ll rise above the gutter you want to take this conversation to by keeping the late Mufti Sahib and “North Pole South Pole” out of this,” Omar said.” You keep advocating the interests of anyone you want to & I’ll keep advocating for the interests of the people of J&K to use our own rivers for our own benefit. I’m not going to stop the water, just use more of it for ourselves. Now I think I’ll do some real work & you can keep posting.”
UNI
