The Congress party has urged the central government to introduce a bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament seeking to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The territory has been in operation as a Union Territory since it was reorganised in 2019.
In a collective letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi asked the government to move with speed and introduce the necessary legislation.
For the last five years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly demanded the restoration of full statehood. This demand is both rightful and firmly rooted in their constitutional and democratic rights," the letter added.
The leaders of Congress underlined the record level of Jammu and Kashmir's downgrade, highlighting that although Union Territories have converted into states in the past, it is the first time in the history of independent India that a state has been demoted to UT status after the division.
"This is the first time in independent India that a full-fledged state is being reduced to a Union Territory after its bifurcation," they stated.
Reinforcing their appeal, the leaders cited Prime Minister Modi’s own assurances regarding the restoration of statehood. The letter recalled specific commitments he made in public forums.
"Your goodself has, on several occasions, personally reaffirmed the government's resolve to restore statehood. During your interview in Bhubaneswar on May 19, 2024, you said: 'The restoration of statehood is a solemn promise we have made and we stand by it.' Again, while speaking at a rally in Srinagar on September 19, 2024, you reaffirmed: 'We have said in Parliament that we will restore the region's statehood'," the letter pointed out.
They also referred to the Centre's promise in the course of Supreme Court hearings on Article 370, wherein it had said it was committed to reinstating statehood at the "earliest and as soon as possible."
"In light of the above and aforegoing, we request the Government to introduce legislation in the near Monsoon Session of Parliament to grant the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir full statehood," the letter said.
This fresh demand follows upheaval within the Congress's own Jammu and Kashmir unit, where opposition voices have been raised against the existing state president Tariq Hameed Karra—formerly of the PDP—urging his replacement. Also, the Congress's alliance with the National Conference under the INDIA coalition seems to be running into trouble.
The party also demanded independent legislation to extend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh, claiming that doing so would honor the uniqueness and aspirations of the region.
"This would be a major step towards fulfilling the cultural, developmental, and political aspirations of the people of Ladakh while protecting their rights, land, and identity," the letter also mentioned.
