The Chenab Valley, comprising of a cluster of districts, has long raised its demand for recognition. These districts include Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban which have their own distinct traditions, customs, languages, and culture. These three districts are part of the Jammu division, one of the two existing divisions of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Culturally and in terms of perspective, the Chenab Valley aligns more closely with the Kashmir division, though there are slight variations in tradition and dialect. For instance, most Kashmiri weddings feature the elaborate Wazwan feast and conversations in pure Kashmiri. In contrast, people of the Chenab Valley serve a less extensive Wazwan and speak Kashmiri interspersed with Urdu and local dialects.
These slight differences, however, do not justify the marginalisation the region faces. Beneath this marginalisation is buried a narrative of resistance that occasionally resurfaces through voices calling for rightful recognition and development.
The issue has often been exploited for political capital, with various regional political parties promising separate status for the Chenab Valley during pre-election campaigns (the recent elections of 2024 being an exception) in an attempt to boost their vote bank. Yet, these promises have largely remained unfulfilled.
Various efforts have been made in the past to address the backwardness of the marginalised districts of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Regional Autonomy Report of 1999, which aimed to promote rapid social development and self-governance, the term ‘Chenab Valley’ was used to describe the erstwhile Doda district and Tehsil Mahore (Reasi). Later, in 2007, the Doda district was split into three separate districts: Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar. This historical reference clearly signifies that the demand for recognition has been long-standing and is supported by valid justification.
Despite repeated promises by regional leaders actively involved in politics, the aspiration for divisional status for the Chenab Valley remains unfulfilled.
A History of broken promises
Over the years, the people and social workers of Doda have staged multiple protests, and journalists have covered stories highlighting the demand for divisional status for the Chenab Valley. Yet, promises continued to be delayed and sidelined, resulting in nothing. It began in 1999, when the Regional Autonomous Committee submitted a report, and again in 2014, when the then-ruling coalition government of Jammu and Kashmir revisited the issue.
In July 2015, the then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, announced a financial initiative called the Chenab Valley Development Fund (CVDF). Crores of rupees were allocated under this scheme for the upliftment of the districts of Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban, with planned investments in infrastructure, educational institution upgrades, tourism development, and other projects.
“The resources for the Chenab Valley Development Fund would be mobilised by various means, with 2% to be chipped in by the hydroelectric companies operating in the region. Besides, there will be the contribution of the State Government as well,” Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, while speaking at the District Development Board meetings of Doda and Kishtwar.
However, the pseudo-financial boom promised under the CVDF initiative soon faded into dormancy, neglected and forgotten over time. This followed the fate of another preceding development two decades before this.
In 1996, the then Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah proposed regional autonomy through the formation of a Hill Development Council. Following this, in 2000, a private members bill was presented in the Legislative Assembly by then-MLA from Bhaderwah, Sheikh Abdul Rahman, advocating for the establishment of a Hill Development Council. This bill clearly reflected the demand for self-governance and recognition of the Chenab Valley’s unique identity and needs but did not receive the support on the floor of the house.
One major reason behind the failure to implement such initiatives is the lack of committed political leadership, independent of vote-bank politics.
Why Separate Divisional Status?
Due to its cultural similarities with Kashmir, the Chenab Valley is often misrepresented, strengthening the case for its divisional status. Carving out a separate division for the Chenab Valley is not only a matter of development and governance but also a step toward preserving cultural identity, social harmony, and political clarity.
As Anzer Ayoob, a journalist from the Chenab region says, “A separate division would be a game-changer.” He explains, “Right now, we’re under the Jammu division, and the Divisional Commissioner, based far away, can’t possibly understand our needs of unpaved roads in Kishtwar, the risks our people face with hydroelectric projects, the lack of schools and healthcare.”
A separate division would enable faster decision-making and development projects tailored to the region’s unique challenges. The economic and administrative empowerment would also hold representatives accountable, shifting their focus from photo-ops to tangible progress. It will also unify the Chenab region’s diverse identities.
The Way Ahead
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denies the existence of the Chenab Valley as a separate entity, whereas regional parties like the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) advocate for separate divisional status, along with the Pir Panjal region of the Jammu division.
For better understanding, we must examine the link between this long-pending demand and the regional government. In 2015, during the coalition government of the BJP and PDP, decisions aimed at regional upliftment included the allocation of the Chenab Valley Development Fund and upgrading of infrastructure. In 2019, when Ladakh was bifurcated from J&K, the Chief of the People’s Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, stated that the Chenab Valley should have been granted divisional status, given its underdevelopment and dense population.
The changing political regimes have clearly reflected the varying pace of development across these districts. However, most governments have merely passed the responsibility from one administration to another. Notably, in the recent elections, there was no mention of this issue in the manifestos of any major political party. In 2019, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah promised divisional status for the Chenab Valley if voted to power. However, when he contested the 2024 elections, this promise was absent from his campaign.
Nevertheless, the current government can still take concrete steps, as doing so would enhance administrative efficiency and governance in the region, especially in the districts of Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban, which currently fall under the Jammu division.
It can begin with the formation of an autonomous committee to thoroughly review the area, guided by proper rules and a focus on welfare. The committee must ensure fair allocation of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, providing equal representation in both houses.
The way forward lies in resolving the issue by granting separate divisional status to the Chenab Valley. This should be done with the intention of uplifting the region’s population and putting an end to its long-pending demands.
This will not cause injustice or conflict with Jammu or Kashmir but will instead promote regional development and preserve the dignity of the native people celebrating the Chenabi identity, its language, culture, and cuisine.
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