Srinagar: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday reiterated its demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Centre should honour its repeated assurances and restore the Union Territory’s constitutional status without further delay.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, senior CPI(M) leader and MLA M.Y. Tarigami expressed support for the National Conference-led protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. He said leaders of Left parties and independent legislators from Jammu and Kashmir were also participating in the demonstration.
Tarigami said the protest was aimed at reminding the Government of India of the assurances made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are not asking for the sky. We are simply seeking that the solemn commitments for restoration of statehood be honoured in both letter and spirit,” he said, adding that restoration of statehood was a constitutional obligation and a matter of democratic accountability.
He described the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, as “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional” and said the demand for restoration of statehood remained unfulfilled despite the successful conduct of the 2024 Assembly elections.
Tarigami recalled that the Centre had assured political parties during the all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in June 2021 that statehood would be restored after the completion of the delimitation process and Assembly elections. He also referred to assurances made by the Prime Minister before the Assembly polls and submissions made on behalf of the Centre before the Supreme Court during the hearings on Article 370.
He said the high voter turnout in the Assembly elections reflected people’s faith in democracy and asserted that the Centre should reciprocate by fulfilling its commitment.
The CPI(M) leader said the trust deficit in Jammu and Kashmir could only be addressed through meaningful engagement with stakeholders and restoration of democratic rights. He said there was broad political consensus across party lines in favour of restoring statehood and urged the Centre to respect that collective demand.
Tarigami said CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby and the party’s J&K State Secretary Mohammad Abbas Rather were participating in the protest in New Delhi.
He also expressed concern over the treatment of education reformer and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, referring to his participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar in support of students raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Tarigami said such developments raised questions about democratic space for peaceful protest.
