In a significant political move ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, #MallikarjunKharge and #RahulGandhi, leaders of the Opposition in the #RajyaSabha and #LokSabha respectively, have written a joint letter to #PrimeMinisterModi, urging immediate legislative action to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Their appeal comes nearly five years after the region was reorganized and stripped of its statehood status in August 2019.
Kharge and Gandhi also demanded that the Union government introduce a separate bill in the upcoming session to bring the Union Territory of #Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution—an inclusion that would grant special protections to tribal communities, their land, and cultural identity.
“Restore Statehood to J&K”: A Call Backed by the Constitution and the People’s Will
In their strongly worded letter addressed directly to Prime Minister Modi, the Congress leaders emphasized that the residents of Jammu and Kashmir have consistently, over the past five years, voiced their democratic and constitutional demand for the restoration of #fullstatehood. They described the demand as not only legitimate but also as rooted deeply in the principles of India’s democracy.
Quoting the Prime Minister’s past statements, the letter pointed to multiple occasions where Modi assured the public of reinstating Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. For instance, in a public interview in Bhubaneswar on May 19, 2024, the Prime Minister had said, “The restoration of statehood is a solemn promise we have made and we stand by it.” Similarly, during a political rally held in Srinagar on September 19, 2024, he reiterated the government’s stance by declaring, “We have said in Parliament that we will restore the region’s statehood.”
Kharge and Gandhi also cited the Centre’s submissions before the #SupremeCourt during hearings on the abrogation of #Article370, wherein the government pledged to restore statehood “as early as possible.” However, they noted with concern that no concrete legislative steps have been taken so far in that direction.
A First in Independent India: From State to UT
The letter underscored the unprecedented nature of Jammu and Kashmir’s political downgrade. They highlighted that this was the first time in independent India’s history that a full-fledged state had been demoted to Union Territory status following its bifurcation. This reversal, they argued, stands in contrast to past examples where Union Territories were upgraded to statehood, such as Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Kharge and Gandhi stressed that restoring statehood is not merely a political matter, but a moral and constitutional obligation the government owes to the people of the region.
Safeguarding Ladakh’s Culture and Identity
Alongside the appeal for Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress leaders also made a firm request for legislation to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This provision is typically reserved for tribal regions and ensures autonomy in governance, as well as protections for indigenous customs, land rights, and traditional ways of life.
Calling it a vital move to protect Ladakhi identity, they wrote: “This would be a significant step towards addressing the cultural, developmental, and political aspirations of the people of Ladakh, while safeguarding their rights, land, and identity.”
The people of Ladakh have for years demanded such constitutional safeguards, especially after being separated from Jammu and Kashmir during the 2019 reorganization.
Congress Prepares to Cornethe r Govt in Parliament
This letter follows the Congress Working Committee’s decision to highlight key national concerns during the upcoming Monsoon Session, which begins on July 21. Apart from the demand for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, the Congress also intends to raise issues such as:
- The #PahalgamTerrorAttack, which shook the nation.
- Irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
- The rising incidents of violence and atrocities against women across the country.
With this comprehensive strategy, the Congress party is looking to position itself as a strong advocate for federalism, constitutional rights, and regional justice.
Will the Centre Act?
All eyes are now on the Union government and whether it will respond substantively to the Congress’s call. The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has remained a long-standing political and constitutional promise—one that is now being placed directly at the Prime Minister’s doorstep by the #LeaderOfOpposition in both Houses.
The coming session of Parliament may prove pivotal in determining whether the government chooses to uphold its assurances or continue to defer a matter that lies at the heart of Indian federal democracy.