Srinagar, Oct 25 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone strongly criticized the Union government for delaying the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

According to KNS News Agency, Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Lone called the delay a "sin" against the people of the region and asserted that statehood is a right, not a privilege to be debated by the government.

"Irrespective of the political differences that we have here amongst us, the union government needs to move fast on some issues. Delay of even a moment in granting statehood is a sin against the people of J and K," Lone wrote.

He questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to revoke statehood in the first place, stating, "Statehood is our right, not charity that the union government will think upon or ponder. Why should they delay it? Why did they take it away in the first place?"

Lone also expressed his concerns regarding the Supreme Court’s handling of the issue, particularly its reluctance to address whether the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and its relegation to a Union Territory (UT) was legal. "And may I ask the Supreme Court that in disposing of the petition on statehood, there is one question which they left unanswered. Was the relegation of a state to UT within the realm of law or outside the realm of law? Why didn’t they answer this question?" he asked.

While Lone noted that the Court had not endorsed the relegation of Jammu and Kashmir to a UT, he emphasized the ongoing frustration: "They did not endorse relegation lest it becomes a precedence and yet we are still without a state.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"

In addition to statehood concerns, Lone advocated for the inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir’s elected Chief Minister in all security-related meetings, regardless of the region's current UT status. He argued that excluding the Chief Minister from such vital discussions undermines the electoral process and the importance of local input in security strategies.

"In the interim until we get a state, the CM of J and K should be an inherent part of all meetings related to security. The local inputs in strategising on security are indispensable. Whosoever the CM is—the people of J and K have voted in huge numbers. And the UT status should not be used as an excuse to exclude the government from vital issues. The CM should be a part of all deliberations. Exclusion of the CM is tantamount to humiliating the entire electoral exercise," Lone stated.

Lone’s post concluded with a pointed remark aimed at Jammu and Kashmir’s current leadership. He criticized the Chief Minister's approach to governance and interactions with the central government, stating, "And an unsolicited word of advice for our CM. Wish you had not gone too far castigating everybody, accusing everyone of colluding with BJP. That concept of untouchability, that self-righteous drift and now a glorified cheerleader. That is a total comedown."

He added, "We all know an elected CM has to work with centre. They have to go and meet the PM or other ministers. But there is a difference between constitutional duties and cheerleading." (KNS)