Will Move SC Over J&K Statehood Restoration Delay: Farooq Abdullah
The long-standing demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has been a pressing issue for the people of the region. The erstwhile state was downgraded to a Union Territory (UT) in 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. Since then, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been eagerly waiting for the restoration of statehood, which has been delayed repeatedly.
The latest development in this regard is a warning issued by National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, who has threatened to approach the Supreme Court if there is an inordinate delay in the restoration of statehood to the region. In an interview with a leading national daily, Abdullah expressed his party’s frustration over the delay and said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted their issues to be resolved immediately after the elections, but the restoration of statehood has been stuck.
“After the elections, people wanted their issues to be resolved immediately, but statehood (not being restored) is stopping us,” Abdullah said. He further added that his party will not hesitate to approach the Supreme Court if the Centre does not take concrete steps to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah’s warning comes at a time when the people of Jammu and Kashmir are growing increasingly frustrated with the delay in the restoration of statehood. The region has been facing a prolonged period of uncertainty and instability since the abrogation of Article 370, and the people are desperate for a resolution to the issue.
The National Conference has been a key player in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir for decades, and Abdullah’s party has been at the forefront of the demand for statehood restoration. The party has been criticizing the Centre for the delay in restoring statehood, which it says has been promised to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre, on the other hand, has been maintaining that the restoration of statehood is contingent upon the settlement of outstanding issues, including the delimitation of Assembly constituencies and the election of a new Legislative Assembly. However, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are skeptical about the Centre’s intentions and believe that the delay is a ploy to stall the restoration of statehood.
The delay in the restoration of statehood has also had a significant impact on the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. The region has been facing a severe economic crisis, and the lack of statehood has meant that the government is unable to take decisions that are necessary to stimulate growth and development.
In fact, the lack of statehood has also led to a sense of disempowerment among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The region was given a degree of autonomy under Article 370, which allowed it to take decisions on its own and run its affairs independently. However, since the abrogation of Article 370, the Centre has been exercising greater control over the region, which has led to feelings of resentment and frustration among the people.
The restoration of statehood is, therefore, essential for the well-being and development of Jammu and Kashmir. The people of the region deserve to have a say in their own affairs and to have their voices heard. The Centre must take concrete steps to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible, and the people of the region must be empowered to take decisions that are necessary for their development and well-being.
In conclusion, the delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a matter of grave concern. The people of the region are growing increasingly frustrated with the delay, and it is essential that the Centre takes concrete steps to restore statehood as soon as possible. National Conference President Farooq Abdullah’s warning to approach the Supreme Court if there is an inordinate delay is a serious one, and it is hoped that the Centre will take notice of it and take concrete steps to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
