Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 28
Leaders of the People’s Conference (PC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) backed a Jammu and Kashmir Assembly resolution seeking restoration of full statehood on Monday, while differing over the scope of the measure.
PC President and MLA Sajad Gani Lone said statehood should not be treated as a fresh promise or a concession from the central government.
He said the political commitments associated with Jammu and Kashmir’s position in India’s federal structure dated back to 1947.
“We are here because of the promises made to the people of J&K in 1947,” Lone said during the debate.
Lone said the region’s political position had been eroded over several decades before the changes of 2019 removed statehood and special status.
He also criticised the functioning of the Union Territory administration, alleging that elected representatives had been sidelined by bureaucrats.
PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para supported the resolution but said its wording was vague because it did not refer to Article 370, Article 35-A or autonomy.
“We support every resolution of the government. But the reality is, the wording of the resolution is vague,” Para said.
He said National Conference (NC) legislators had proposed amendments on autonomy and Articles 370 and 35-A, but those provisions were not included in the final resolution.
AIP MLA Sheikh Khursheed also supported the resolution, describing restoration of statehood as a political right rather than a concession.
He said the loss of statehood had also affected J&K’s political identity and institutions.
The assembly ultimately passed the resolution calling for immediate restoration of full statehood.
