JAMMU: National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today exhorted all political parties to rise above partisan considerations
and extend unequivocal support to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s decisive initiative to strongly
pursue the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi.
Addressing a public meeting at POUNI in Reasi Assembly Constituency, which was organized
by Raj Kumar Sharma District President Reasi, Tariq Bhat Vice President and Deedar Singh Block
President, Sadhotra said the demand for restoration of statehood is not a political slogan but a
solemn constitutional and democratic aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, cutting
across region, religion, caste and ideology. He said the moment demands unity of purpose so that
a strong and collective voice is presented before the Union Government in Parliament.
He recalled that the Government of India had itself given clear assurances on multiple occasions regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. These assurances, he said,
were not informal political statements but were placed on record before Parliament and also
submitted in the form of affidavits before the Supreme Court of India.
“When commitments are made in Parliament and before the highest court of the country,
they acquire a binding moral and constitutional weight,” he said.
Sadhotra said it is deeply unfortunate that despite such categorical assurances, the Bharatiya Janata Party has now taken a contradictory position, effectively stepping back from its own stated commitment. He said this shift has caused widespread disappointment among the
people of Jammu and Kashmir, who had placed faith in the repeated assurances made at the
national level.
He strongly criticised the BJP for inconsistent and politically convenient approach on an issue
that directly concerns the democratic dignity, identity and constitutional rights of the people. He
said statehood is not a favour to be granted or withheld at will, but a legitimate democratic right
that has already been acknowledged and promised.
“The BJP owes an explanation to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for why it is now retreating from commitments made in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. Such backtracking erodes public trust and undermines the sanctity of constitutional assurances,” Sadhotra said.
