Manoj Sinha is approaching the completion of his five-year term as the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir on August 6, 2025. However, the Central Government has yet to announce whether he will continue in this role or be replaced.
In India, state Governors are generally appointed for a term of five years. However, for Union Territories like Jammu and Kashmir, there is no fixed term for LGs. They are appointed by the President of India and serve at the President’s pleasure, meaning they can remain in office as long as the President decides. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, which transformed J&K into a Union Territory, does not specify a time limit for an LG's term.
Sinha’s journey so far
Sinha, a former Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and a minister in Prime Minister Modi’s cabinet, became the LG of J&K following the resignation of GC Murmu. After the abrogation of Article 370, Sinha was viewed as a calm and experienced leader capable of bringing peace and development to the region.
Achievements
During his tenure, infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated. Projects such as the Rs 900 crore Srinagar Smart City, improved road networks, tunnels, and railway lines have advanced with strong support from the Central Government, particularly the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Tourism has seen growth, attracting thousands to places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg. New investment proposals have been received in the tourism, health, and IT sectors. However, job creation remains a pressing concern, with sectors like horticulture, tourism, and handicrafts still being the primary sources of employment for locals.
Sinha's administration also launched a job scheme for families affected by terrorism. However, it faced backlash due to the dismissal of numerous government employees for alleged links to anti-national groups, sparking opposition from regional parties and creating unease among the populace.
The security situation has yielded mixed results. While the number of newly recruited local militants has decreased and many top militants have been neutralised, attacks persist, especially in Rajouri and Poonch. The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of tourists, was a significant failure, and Sinha took responsibility. Some observers believe this helped shield the Union Home Ministry from criticism from the opposition. The Army recently reported that they have killed all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
Controversies
Despite noticeable development, Sinha’s tenure has not been free from controversy. His working relationship with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has had its tensions. Although they maintain a polite public demeanor, Abdullah has expressed frustration over Sinha’s control over the bureaucracy and sensitive departments like Home and Law. Two notable instances highlight this friction: Sinha has refused to approve the extension of Advocate General D.C. Raina despite Abdullah’s recommendation, and the Business Rules defining power-sharing between the CM and LG remain pending.
Sinha has also faced criticism for his treatment of elected leaders. On July 13, Abdullah and his cabinet ministers were placed under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard in Srinagar. They were only able to visit the next day after scaling walls and facing police resistance. This incident drew attention to how an elected leader like the J&K CM was being treated by the police under LG control.
Many locals view Sinha as an outsider representing the BJP’s political agenda. While pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi and the Amarnath Yatra receive top-notch facilities, congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar have often been restricted, even during Ramadan and Eid.
Sinha’s government has also implemented new reservation rules, land eviction drives, and introduced new property regulations without adequate public consultation. These actions have generated widespread fear and resentment among the local population.
What’s next?
Given that there is no legal term limit for LGs in Union Territories, the decision of whether Sinha will remain in his position or be replaced lies entirely with the President of India. Whatever the Central Government decides will send a strong message about its plans for Jammu and Kashmir, particularly concerning the long-demanded restoration of statehood.