Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir will be restored to its statehood as had been promised earlier, although he did not give a timeline for its restoration.
Addressing the "Times Now Summit 2025" on Friday evening, Shah pointed out the successful holding of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year.
"Even before, we have ensured statehood will be returned. Since the start, we have stood firm that it will be bestowed. But on a public forum, it is impossible to make an announcement regarding the timeline," he replied when asked about the timeframe for restoration of statehood.
In 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union territories, Shah had promised Parliament that statehood of Jammu and Kashmir would be restored at a proper time.
Looking back at the recent elections, he pointed out that there was a considerable change in the region. "This was the first election in Kashmir after 40 years when no re-polling was needed. None of the tear gas shells or bullets were even used. At 60% voting turnout, this is a big change," he mentioned.
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