Delay in restoring statehood to IIOJK unjustified: Ashok Bhan
New Delhi: Noted senior lawyer of Indian Supreme Court and bar leader Ashok Bhan has said that the continued delay in restoring full statehood to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is unjustified and undermines democratic federalism.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking at a gathering of the Lawyers Guild, Bhan said the Indian government has failed to honour repeated assurances given in and outside Parliament, as well as before the Supreme Court, that statehood would be restored and the Union Territory status was temporary.
He referred to the Constitution Bench judgment on Article 370, noting the Solicitor General’s submission that statehood would be reinstated, and said the prolonged delay raises serious political, constitutional and ethical questions. Bhan said real authority in IIOJK still rests with the Lieutenant Governor, diluting democracy and limiting the role of elected representatives.
He warned that postponing statehood weakens political trust, alienates citizens—especially youth—and sets a dangerous constitutional precedent by normalising prolonged central control. Bhan said there is no convincing security or administrative justification for further delay, adding that restoring statehood would strengthen democracy, federalism and long-term peace in the territory.
