Kharge, Rahul write to PM, demand legislation to restore J&K statehood

Ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to introduce legislation to grant full statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In their joint letter to the Prime Minister, Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament — Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha and Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha — stated: “...we urge upon the government to bring forward a legislation in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to grant full statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, we request that the government introduce legislation to include the Union Territory of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.”

Addressing the Prime Minister, Kharge and Gandhi wrote: “Hon’ble Prime Minister, for the past five years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have consistently called for the restoration of full statehood. This demand is both legitimate and firmly grounded in their constitutional and democratic rights. It is important to recognise that while there have been instances of Union Territories being granted statehood in the past, the case of Jammu and Kashmir is unprecedented in independent India.”

They further stated, “This is the first time a full-fledged state has been downgraded to a Union Territory following its bifurcation.”

The two opposition leaders also reiterated their demand for legislation to include the Union Territory of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of 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, land and identity,” the letter stated.

Will happen, have faith in Modi: Jitendra

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh said restoration of full statehood will happen at an appropriate time and everyone must trust the public assurance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue

• Jitendra Singh dismissed as “irrelevant” the letter written by top Congress leaders to the prime minister

• “More than once PM Modi has himself said, also publicly in some of the public rallies, that the government of India is committed to provide statehood to J&K and it will happen at the appropriate time,” Singh said