
Grant Full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir: Congress to PM
In a recent development, the Congress Party has reiterated its demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the need for the state to regain its constitutional status.
The move comes as a response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the state’s status, which was downgraded from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory following its bifurcation in 2019. The Congress leaders have been vocal about their opposition to the move, and their latest letter is an attempt to put pressure on the government to fulfill its 2024 election promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
In their letter, Kharge and Gandhi pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir is the only state that has been downgraded to a Union Territory in the country’s history. They argued that the move was a violation of the state’s constitutional rights and the democratic principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The Congress leaders also highlighted the economic and social implications of the move, stating that the state’s demotion had led to a decline in its economic growth, infrastructure development, and standard of living. They pointed out that the state’s unique cultural and linguistic identity was also under threat due to the government’s attempts to assimilate it with the rest of the country.
Kharge and Gandhi also drew attention to the fact that the government had promised to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during the 2024 elections. They urged the Prime Minister to fulfill this promise and restore the state’s autonomy and dignity.
The Congress leaders’ demand for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has been met with mixed reactions from various quarters. While some have hailed their move as a bold step towards preserving the state’s autonomy, others have criticized it as a partisan attempt to score political brownie points.
However, the Congress leaders have maintained that their demand is driven by a genuine desire to protect the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to preserve the state’s unique identity. They have also emphasized that their demand is not driven by any political party or regional considerations, but rather by a commitment to democratic principles and the principles of justice and equality.
The demand for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not a new one. The state has been demanding full statehood since its bifurcation in 2019, and the Congress Party has been at the forefront of this movement. The party has been vocal about its opposition to the government’s move to downgrade the state and has been demanding its restoration to its original status.
The controversy surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s status has been a contentious issue in Indian politics for several years. The state’s demand for full statehood has been met with strong opposition from the central government, which has maintained that the state’s demotion was necessary to address the security concerns and administrative challenges posed by the state’s unique geography and demographic profile.
However, the Congress leaders have argued that the government’s move to downgrade the state was arbitrary and unconstitutional. They have pointed out that the state’s demotion has led to a decline in its economic growth, infrastructure development, and standard of living, and that the state’s unique cultural and linguistic identity is under threat.
The demand for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has also been supported by various civil society groups, intellectuals, and politicians from across the country. Many have argued that the state’s demotion was a violation of democratic principles and that it has led to a decline in the state’s autonomy and dignity.
In conclusion, the demand for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action from the government. The Congress Party’s letter to the Prime Minister is a bold step towards preserving the state’s autonomy and dignity, and it is hoped that the government will take cognizance of their demand and fulfill its 2024 election promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.