SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Additional General Secretary and Member of Parliament Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan on Friday said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir was the constitutional and democratic right of its people and not a favour from anyone.
Addressing party leaders, legislators, office-bearers and workers from various areas at the party headquarters here, Ramzan said that the formation of the National Conference-led government had ended the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir and made government institutions accessible to the public once again.
He said the Civil Secretariat and other government offices had been opened to the people and that the administrative machinery was actively engaged in addressing public grievances and resolving issues faced by citizens.
Ramzan said that despite having limited powers, the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was utilizing all available resources to provide relief to the people, accelerate development activities and address day-to-day public concerns.
Calling for a united effort towards the restoration of statehood, he said the Centre had made commitments before the Supreme Court, Parliament and various public forums regarding delimitation, Assembly elections and the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir.
“While Assembly elections have been completed and 19 months have passed since then, New Delhi continues to delay fulfilling its promise of restoring statehood,” he said, describing the delay as unfortunate and concerning.
Ramzan said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had not accepted the decisions of August 5, 2019, and continued to seek the restoration of the rights that were taken away from them. He also called for a review of the decision to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh should once again be allowed to live in an atmosphere of mutual harmony, brotherhood and shared progress.
The NC leader said the party had planned a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session in support of constitutional guarantees and the restoration of statehood. He said Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly and senior party leaders would participate in the programme.
Ramzan also recalled that during the first session of the present Legislative Assembly, the National Conference had passed a resolution rejecting the decisions of August 5, 2019, and seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He said the government had also adopted a unanimous resolution during its first Cabinet meeting demanding the restoration of statehood, reflecting the aspirations of the people.
