Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Jun 10: National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday reiterated his appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour his commitment regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing party workers in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has repeatedly taken up the issue with the Prime Minister and has been given assurances that statehood would be restored.
He emphasized that the demand for reinstating statehood remains a core concern for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. According to him, the assurance made by the country’s leadership had raised expectations that the long-pending demand would eventually be fulfilled.
Farooq Abdullah stated that the issue had been directly discussed between Omar Abdullah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on multiple occasions, with assurances reportedly given regarding its restoration. He added that the promise had been made publicly before the nation and the international community.
He further said that the people of the Union Territory continue to await the return of full statehood and expressed hope that the process would not face further delays.
In parallel, National Conference legislators have decided to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi during the first day of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, demanding the restoration of statehood along with constitutional safeguards for Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah has also reached out to opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress, and other like-minded groups, urging them to join the demonstration.
Meanwhile, estranged National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has indicated that he will participate in the protest but maintained that the restoration of Article 370 should remain the central demand of the party.
The renewed political push comes amid continuing debate over the constitutional and administrative future of Jammu and Kashmir, with regional leaders pressing for clarity and timelines on statehood restoration.