The Congress asserted that restoring statehood is not just a political promise but also a constitutional obligation, as underscored by the Supreme Court.
NEW DELHI — The Congress on Wednesday reiterated its demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his commitment made during the all-party meeting in June 2021, and invoking the Supreme Court’s directive on the issue.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, senior party leaders — including J&K CLP leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, AICC general secretary in charge of J&K and Ladakh Dr Naseer Hussain, and J&K Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma — said the party would intensify its political campaign during the Monsoon Session of Parliament to pressure the Centre.
Ghulam Ahmad Mir recalled that the Prime Minister had outlined a three-step roadmap — delimitation, elections, and then statehood. “Delimitation has been completed. Elections have been held. An elected government has been in place for 11 months. Why the delay in restoring statehood?” he asked.
He added that the people of the Union Territory were facing administrative confusion, with decision-making split between the Chief Minister’s Office and the Raj Bhawan.
Dr Naseer Hussain said the elected government lacked real power. “Authority lies with unelected officials like the Lieutenant Governor. This undermines democratic norms,” he said. He also claimed that once power is restored to elected representatives, corruption scandals — such as those related to land and sand mining — would be exposed.
Digvijaya Singh said that although the Congress is in alliance with the National Conference in J&K, it had deliberately stayed out of government due to its principled stand on statehood. “We won’t join the government until full statehood is restored,” he said.
He also decried the erosion of authority of the elected leadership. “It’s shocking that the Chief Minister is stopped by police from offering prayers. Files don’t move without the LG’s approval. This must end,” Singh said.
He further demanded that Ladakh be granted a legislature — like Delhi and Puducherry — with elected representatives empowered to govern.
The Congress asserted that restoring statehood is not just a political promise but also a constitutional obligation, as underscored by the Supreme Court. The party said it would raise the issue forcefully in Parliament and among the public.
