Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday questioned the delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and criticized the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 as a ‘Constitutional outrage.’ This remarks come exactly seven years after the significant decision that stripped the region of its special status and restructured it into two Union Territories.
On the anniversary of this milestone, Chidambaram emphasized that the situation did not conclude with the bifurcation. He pointed out that a critical legal issue remains unanswered by the judiciary: can a State be divided and reduced to Union Territories?
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Chidambaram remarked, “Seven years ago this day, a Constitutional outrage was perpetrated, splitting the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. The story did not end there.” He referenced the Supreme Court’s reluctance to address this question, stating that the court declined to rule on it based on previous government assurances that statehood would be restored soon.
Chidambaram’s inquiry, “How soon is ‘soon’?”, underlines his skepticism towards the government’s assurances regarding the long-promised restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Moreover, Chidambaram raised alarms over the implications of this precedent on other Indian states, warning that it poses a consistent threat to the federal structure of India. “That sword of power of the Government to break up a State into UTs continues to loom over the States of India. And the crucial Constitutional question remains unresolved by the Supreme Court,” he stressed.
The Congress leader’s comments resonate in a political climate that is increasingly charged regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s status. Public sentiment remains mixed, with many residents yearning for the restoration of their state’s rights and autonomy.
The topic of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has been a complex and heated issue within Indian politics. Following the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, political parties, civil society, and local activists have voiced concerns about the governance structure and citizen rights in these regions.
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, and other local leaders have also condemned the ongoing delay, advocating strongly for the restoration of democratic processes in the region. The question of statehood restoration is not just a political issue; it reflects the deep-rooted aspirations and identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In light of these comments, the Congress party seeks to leverage this sentiment in its campaign strategies for upcoming elections, emphasizing its commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
