Srinagar, July 21 (KNS): Senior Congress leader and former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Monday urged the central government to immediately restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the delay is unjustified and goes against the commitments made to the people.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the party's march to Delhi, Mir recalled the government's original roadmap after the abrogation of Article 370: reorganisation, delimitation, elections, and then restoration of statehood. "Ten years have passed since that promise, and even after the new cabinet passed a resolution, there has been no progress on restoring statehood," he said.

Mir criticized the delay and questioned the government’s repeated claim that it is waiting for the “appropriate time.” “What is the appropriate time? The Supreme Court has already given clear directions. Elections have been held. Now the government must fulfill its promise,” he said.

J&K Congress has run an extensive campaign over the past five months, mobilizing public support and raising the demand for full statehood. "We have completed our programmes across all regions, and now the final phase of this movement is being taken to Delhi," he said as per KNS.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Mir added that Congress leaders will meet Members of Parliament to remind them that it was the same Parliament that had earlier committed to restoring statehood at the earliest.

He urged the Centre to bring an amendment to the J&K Reorganisation Act during the current Parliament session and return legislative powers to the people. “This is not just a political demand—it’s about restoring the dignity, identity, and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Mir also raised concerns about the current state of governance under President’s Rule, alleging that youth are being ignored, employment opportunities are lacking, and development has stalled due to poor funding and absence of accountability.

He said the dual power structure between Raj Bhawan and central administrative control has left the people of J&K disempowered. “We cannot let this continue. J&K must be treated like any other state, with its own elected government, resources, and rights,” he said.(KNS)