SAHIL BHAT
JULY 16: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about reinstatement of the Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir whereat J&K Congress Chief Tariq Hameed Karra expressed gratitude.
Highlighting the predicament of people of Jammu and Kashmir and making a strong pitch for the Statehood, the letter read, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir has repeatedly pressed for the restoration of the full Statehood for past five years. It stands as the legitimate demand underpinning the constitutional and democratic rights.”
The letter further read, “There are several instances that Union Territories have been accorded with Statehood status however, Jammu and Kashmir has been left devoid off Statehood in independent India. Notable, it is the first time a full-fledged State has been reduced to Union Territory after its bifurcation.”
“In your interview in Bhubaneswar on 19 May 2024, you have said that the restoration of Statehood is an honest promise we have made and we stand by it and while addressing a rally in Srinagar on 19 September 2024, you (PM Modi) reaffirmed that we have said in Parliament that we will restore the Statehood.”
Congress stalwarts further mentioned, “With regard to the requisite mentions, we urge upon the Government to bring forward legislation in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to confer full Statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Additionally, we urge that the Government to bring forward legislation to include the Union Territory of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. This would be a significant step towards addressing the cultural, developmental, and political aspirations of the people of Ladakh, while safeguarding their rights.”
In this regard, J&K Congress Chief Tariq Hameed Karra expressed gratitude to LoP Rahul Gandhi & AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge for their letter to PM Narendra Modi, urging the restoration of full statehood for J&K and inclusion of Ladakh under the 6th Schedule.
He further pressed for prompt action in the Monsoon Session to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, adding, Congress stands firm for J&K’s rights.
