Will Move SC Over J&K Statehood Restoration Delay: Farooq Abdullah
The demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has been a pressing issue for the people of the region for a long time. The state was downgraded to a Union Territory (UT) in 2019, following the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to the state. Since then, there have been several demands and protests from various quarters for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Recently, National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah warned that his party will approach the Supreme Court if there is an inordinate delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah made this statement in an interview with a national daily, where he expressed his party’s frustration over the Centre’s delay in restoring statehood to the region.
“We will go to the Supreme Court if there is a delay in the restoration of statehood. We cannot keep waiting. People have been waiting for their rights to be restored, and we cannot betray them,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah’s statement comes at a time when the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for the Centre to take a decision on the restoration of statehood. The demand for statehood has been gaining momentum in recent times, with several political parties and civil society groups demanding that the Centre restore the state’s special status.
The National Conference, which has been a key player in Jammu and Kashmir’s politics for a long time, has been at the forefront of the demand for statehood. The party has been protesting against the Centre’s decision to downgrade Jammu and Kashmir to a UT, and has been demanding that the Centre restore the state’s special status.
Abdullah’s warning to the Centre is a clear indication that the National Conference is not going to compromise on its demand for statehood. The party has been demanding that the Centre hold a referendum on the issue of statehood, and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir be given the right to decide whether they want to remain a UT or become a state again.
The Centre’s decision to downgrade Jammu and Kashmir to a UT was taken in 2019, following a series of attacks and killings by terrorists in the region. The Centre argued that the decision was necessary to curb terrorism and improve the security situation in the region. However, the decision has been widely criticized by various quarters, including political parties and civil society groups, who argue that it is an attempt to undermine the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not just a matter of political significance, but also has serious implications for the region’s economy and social fabric. The state has a unique cultural and historical identity, and the restoration of statehood is seen as a way to preserve and protect this identity.
Moreover, the restoration of statehood is also seen as a way to empower the people of Jammu and Kashmir and give them more control over their affairs. The state has a long history of political uprisings and protests, and the restoration of statehood is seen as a way to address the grievances of the people and provide them with a greater sense of autonomy.
In recent times, there have been several attempts by various quarters to resolve the issue of statehood. In 2020, the Centre announced that it would hold a Delimitation Commission to review the boundaries of the UT and make recommendations on the restoration of statehood. However, the Commission’s report has not been made public yet, and there is still no clarity on when the statehood will be restored.
Abdullah’s warning to the Centre is a clear indication that the National Conference is not going to compromise on its demand for statehood. The party has been demanding that the Centre take a decision on the restoration of statehood, and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir be given the right to decide their future.
In conclusion, the demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a complex issue that has serious implications for the region’s economy, social fabric, and political identity. The Centre’s decision to downgrade Jammu and Kashmir to a UT has been widely criticized, and there is a growing demand from various quarters for the restoration of statehood. Farooq Abdullah’s warning to the Centre is a clear indication that the National Conference is not going to compromise on its demand for statehood, and that the issue will be taken to the Supreme Court if there is an inordinate delay in the restoration of statehood.
