SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) has welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent call for the restoration of statehood but has expressed concern over the absence of equal emphasis on the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A, calling it a dilution of the broader political struggle of the region.
In a statement issued, JKPDP Chief Spokesperson Mehboob Beg said that while the party fully supports any genuine initiative aimed at restoring statehood as promised in Parliament and public forums, the larger issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status must not be sidelined.
“The abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in August 2019 was a historic betrayal that struck at the heart of our political and cultural identity,” said Beg. “Demanding statehood alone, while ignoring this reality, weakens the collective pursuit of justice and dignity.”
The JKPDP contended that the present discourse around statehood appears to mirror the BJP-led central government’s narrative, which has selectively promised statehood while maintaining silence on the revocation of special status. The party urged the National Conference (JKNC), under Omar Abdullah’s leadership, to use its political mandate to press for the full constitutional restoration.
“Statehood without special status is akin to treating the symptoms while ignoring the root cause,” Beg said, adding that people had voted not just for administrative structures, but for the restoration of their rights, land, and constitutional dignity.
The party reiterated its view that Articles 370 and 35A form the bedrock of Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity and must remain central to any political resolution. It pledged full support to any multi-party effort that seeks to create a united front—both in Parliament and on the ground—for their reinstatement.
Referring to the recent increase in troop deployment following the April 22 attack and the peaceful culmination of the Amarnath Yatra, which saw over 400,000 pilgrims, the JKPDP said that true stability cannot be achieved without addressing the region’s political aspirations.
“We urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to lead with courage and clarity—not just on statehood, but on the full restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional position,” Beg stated. “This is not just a political necessity, but a moral obligation.”
The party called upon all political stakeholders and the people of Jammu and Kashmir to unite in the ongoing struggle for constitutional rights, asserting its unwavering commitment to the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, regardless of the central government’s position.
