Statehood to IIOJK push must be backed by all parties: Sadhotra
Jammu: National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has called upon all political parties to rise above partisan considerations and extend unequivocal support to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s initiative for restoration of statehood to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Indian Parliament.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing a public meeting in Reasi, Sadhotra said the demand for statehood is a democratic aspiration of the people of Kashmir, not a political slogan. He stressed the need for a united and collective voice to press the Indian government for restoration of statehood.
Sadhotra recalled that New Delhi had repeatedly assured restoration of statehood to IIOJK, with commitments placed on record in Parliament and before the Indian Supreme Court. Such assurances, he said, must be honoured.
Criticizing the BJP, he alleged the party had adopted a contradictory stand despite earlier commitments, and that people of IIOJK were disappointed by what he termed a retreat from assurances made at the Indian government level. He asserted that statehood is a legitimate democratic right, not a favour to be granted at convenience, and urged all parties, irrespective of ideology, to support the demand in the larger interest of the territory.
