Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, has made a strong case for the swift restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
During a recent public address, Chidambaram emphasized that returning full statehood to the region is not just a political necessity, but also crucial for the region’s development, governance, and restoration of democracy.
Chidambaram’s Urgent Appeal
Highlighting the prolonged uncertainty since Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked in 2019, Chidambaram argued that the continued delay in restoring statehood is harmful to both the people and the administration of the region. “Immediate restoration of statehood is imperative,” he stated, underlining the Congress party’s commitment to advocating for the rights of Jammu and Kashmir’s citizens.
Chidambaram also criticized the Union government’s handling of the region’s affairs, arguing that the absence of a democratically elected government has created a governance vacuum. The lack of a local administration, he explained, has hindered the region’s ability to tackle key issues such as employment, education, and infrastructure development.
The Impact of the Abrogation of Article 370
The senior Congress leader also reflected on the impact of the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.
Chidambaram has been vocal in opposing the move since 2019, and during his recent address, he reiterated that restoring statehood is the first step toward healing the wounds caused by the decision.
He further emphasized that without full statehood, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are unable to exercise their political rights fully.
He pointed out that the lack of elected representatives has distanced the region’s people from participating in democratic processes, further exacerbating their frustrations.
Political Reactions
Chidambaram’s remarks have reignited the political discourse around Jammu and Kashmir’s future. Various political leaders, including those from the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have echoed similar sentiments in the past, urging the central government to prioritize restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood
The Congress party, under its leadership, has committed to pressing for a resolution in Parliament to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
P. Chidambaram’s appeal, along with similar calls from other regional political figures, places further pressure on the central government to take immediate action on this pressing issue.
While the central government has indicated that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, the continued uncertainty has only added to the frustrations of local leaders and residents. Political analysts expect this issue to remain at the forefront of the political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir, with many watching closely for any concrete moves from New Delhi in the coming months.