SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister and senior National Conference (NC) leader Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said that further delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would have serious consequences for future generations and the country, stressing that it was essential for strengthening democracy, governance and development in the region.
Addressing public meetings at Bari Brahmana, Vijaypur and Samba in Samba district and Hiranagar in Kathua district, Choudhary said statehood restoration was “not merely a political demand” but a prerequisite for empowering democratic institutions and ensuring effective governance.
“Every passing day without the restoration of full statehood is causing irreparable harm to the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The continued delay will affect not only the present generation but also generations to come by slowing development, weakening democratic institutions and creating uncertainty in governance,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir, being a sensitive border region and a globally recognised tourist destination, requires a fully empowered elected government capable of taking independent decisions in the interest of its people.
Criticising the existing governance arrangement, Choudhary said the division of powers between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration had created administrative bottlenecks, delayed decision-making and affected the implementation of development programmes.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had repeatedly shown their faith in democracy by participating in elections despite challenges and their mandate must be respected through the early restoration of statehood.
“The continued denial of statehood does not align with the spirit of the Constitution and India’s federal democratic framework,” he added.
Choudhary said the National Conference and its alliance partners will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 to press the Centre for restoration of statehood. He also urged people to participate in a public meeting scheduled on July 12 at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, NC Jammu Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta reminded the Centre of its repeated assurances on restoring statehood and said the “appropriate time has come” to fulfil those commitments.
Gupta said restoration of statehood would strengthen democratic institutions, improve accountability, encourage investment, boost tourism, generate employment and ensure balanced development across all regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the demand was above party politics and represented the dignity and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Several NC leaders and party functionaries, including Sudagar Gupta, Mohinder Singh, Sham Narain Mehta, Ajeet Kumar Sharma, Rajesh Pargotra, Rajni Devi, K K Bakshi, Shoket Choudhary and others attended the meetings.
