Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti Engage in Heated Exchange Over Water Project

Tensions Rise Over Tulbul Navigation Barrage

Srinagar: A verbal clash erupted between Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti regarding the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project on Wullar Lake. The current Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir criticized his predecessor for dragging the discussion into a personal attack.

The dispute ignited after Mufti labeled Abdullah's suggestion to revive the project, in light of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) suspension, as 'irresponsible' and 'dangerously provocative.'

In response, Abdullah accused the PDP leader of ignoring the IWT's implications for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, attributing her stance to a desire for 'cheap' publicity and to appease certain factions across the border.

On Thursday, Abdullah took to X to question whether the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project could be resumed now that the IWT is temporarily suspended.

"The Wular lake in North Kashmir. The civil works you see in the video are the Tulbul Navigation Barrage. It was started in the early 1980s but had to be abandoned under pressure from Pakistan, citing the Indus Water Treaty. Now that the IWT has been 'temporarily suspended', I wonder if we will be able to resume the project," Abdullah posted.

He emphasized that completing the Tulbul project would facilitate navigation on the Jhelum river and enhance power generation for downstream projects, particularly during winter.

Last month, the Centre suspended the IWT, which governs water sharing between India and Pakistan, following a terror attack in Pahalgam.

Mufti criticized Abdullah's remarks on Friday, calling them 'deeply unfortunate.'

"J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's call to revive the Tulbul Navigation Project amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan is deeply unfortunate," she stated on X.

She further described such comments as not only 'irresponsible' but also 'dangerously provocative,' especially given the recent escalation in conflict that has led to loss of life and suffering in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti argued that weaponizing water, a vital resource, risks internationalizing a matter that should remain bilateral.

Abdullah countered Mufti's claims, asserting that her refusal to recognize the IWT as a 'historic betrayal' stems from her desire for publicity and to please external interests.

"What is truly unfortunate is your refusal to acknowledge that the IWT has historically betrayed the interests of the people of J&K," he remarked.

He reiterated his opposition to the treaty, stating that challenging an unjust agreement is not warmongering but a necessary correction of historical wrongs.

Mufti escalated the exchange by referencing Abdullah's grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who once advocated for Jammu and Kashmir's accession to Pakistan but later aligned with India after regaining power.

"Time will reveal who seeks to appease whom. Your esteemed grandfather once supported accession to Pakistan for over two decades but reversed his stance upon returning to power," she noted.

In contrast, she claimed that the PDP has consistently upheld its principles without resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.

Abdullah concluded by asserting his commitment to prioritizing the interests of Jammu and Kashmir, stating, "I will continue to advocate for our right to utilize our rivers for our benefit."