Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has warned that he and his party colleagues will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar if the Centre does not restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The strong statement comes amid growing political pressure on the Union government to fulfill its commitment regarding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
Speaking to reporters, Choudhary said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been patiently waiting for the restoration of statehood since the region was reorganized in August 2019. He asserted that if the promise is not implemented within a reasonable timeframe, elected representatives would be compelled to launch a democratic protest in the national capital.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that the demand for statehood is not merely a political issue but a matter of democratic rights and governance. He argued that an elected government requires adequate administrative powers to effectively address the concerns of the people and accelerate development across the region.
The restoration of statehood has remained a key demand of several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir since the former state was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019. The Centre has repeatedly stated that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time after the completion of necessary administrative and security processes.
Choudhary noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir participated enthusiastically in recent democratic exercises with the expectation that full statehood would eventually be reinstated. He said elected representatives would continue to raise the issue through constitutional and democratic means.
The remarks have triggered fresh political debate, with opposition leaders supporting the demand for statehood while urging the Centre to provide a clear timeline. Supporters of restoration argue that statehood would strengthen local governance and improve administrative accountability.
Political observers believe the issue is likely to remain at the center of Jammu and Kashmir's political discourse in the coming months. While the Union government has reiterated its commitment to restoring statehood, no specific date has yet been announced.
For now, Choudhary's warning of a protest at Jantar Mantar signals growing impatience among regional leaders, who insist that the promise of statehood must be translated into action at the earliest opportunity.
