Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed on Friday that Jammu and Kashmir's statehood would be restored as previously promised. However, he did not specify a timeline for its reinstatement.
Speaking on the matter, Shah said, “Assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir peacefully last year. We have given the assurance that statehood will be restored. From the very beginning, we have said that statehood would be given. However, it can’t be disclosed when it will be given at a public forum.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have reiterated on several occasions their commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
When Article 370 was revoked in 2019 and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories, Shah had assured Parliament that statehood would be reinstated at an appropriate time.
Also read: Kathua anti-militancy search operation expands to new areas
“This was the first election in Kashmir after 40 years in which there was no re-polling in any place. Not a single tear gas canister or bullet was fired. Sixty per cent of people exercised their franchise; this is a huge change,” he added.
While record voter turnouts were witnessed during both the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, political analysts argue that the figures are not necessarily indicative of a broader improvement.
According to them, a significant portion of voters participated primarily to prevent the BJP from gaining political ground in the Kashmir Valley.
Follow us
