Senior NC leader Subash Mehra urges Centre to restore statehood to J&K without delay

JJ Correspondent
Jammu, Jun 20: In a forceful appeal to the Government of India, senior National Conference leader Mr. Subash Mehra on Thursday reiterated the demand for immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the region has been unfairly stripped of its constitutional status despite fulfilling all the necessary criteria of a full-fledged state.
In a press statement, Mr. Mehra expressed deep concern over the political and administrative uncertainty prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent downgrading of the erstwhile princely state into a Union Territory in August 2019.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are passing through a phase of political alienation and constitutional deprivation. It is shocking that despite having all the essential elements of a proper state-geography, culture, population, history, and governance framework-J&K was the first state in India to be demoted to Union Territory status without any valid justification,” Mr. Mehra said.
He said that the continued denial of statehood has plunged the region into a “morass” of bureaucratic inertia, developmental delays, and political disenfranchisement. “People are feeling helpless and directionless. The bureaucratic model is not a substitute for an elected and accountable government,” he asserted.
The senior NC leader emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir has a rich legacy of democratic participation and constitutional institutions, and the current system of administration has created a visible disconnect between the people and the corridors of power. “In a democratic setup, the voice of the people must be represented by their elected representatives, not by officials from outside the region,” he said.
He further added that restoring statehood is not a political demand but a constitutional necessity and an emotional right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The Centre must rise above political calculations and fulfill its promise of restoring statehood, as repeatedly assured on the floor of Parliament,” Mr. Mehra stressed.
Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate steps in this direction, Mr. Mehra concluded, “Statehood is not a privilege, it is our rightful status. Justice delayed will only deepen the alienation and hamper the vision of peace and prosperity in the region.”
The demand for restoration of statehood continues to gain momentum, resonating with the aspirations of the people across Jammu and Kashmir.