Srinagar: The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday said while it supports the demand for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must champion the restoration of Articles 370 and 35-A, which were abrogated on August 5, 2019.
“The PDP welcomes the recent appeal by the chief minister for a collective push towards restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” the party’s chief spokesperson Mehboob Beg said.
Beg, however, said the PDP expresses serious concern over the “selective focus” on statehood, while “overlooking the far more critical demand for restoring Article 370 and Article 35A, which form the constitutional foundation of Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, rights, and autonomy”.
The PDP leader said while the party wholeheartedly supports the call for statehood and stands ready to back any meaningful initiative that fulfils the promises made to the people in Parliament, public fora, and before the Supreme Court, it is “disheartening” to see that the National Conference (NC) has not demonstrated equal urgency or clarity on the restoration of J-K’s special status.
“The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019 was a historic betrayal that struck at the heart of our political and cultural identity. Ignoring this reality while demanding statehood alone dilutes the larger struggle for justice and dignity,” he said.
The PDP views the current narrative centred only on statehood as one that aligns too closely with the BJP-led Central government’s agenda, which has selectively promised statehood while remaining silent on special status, Beg said.
In this context, he said, the party believes it is imperative that the NC, which enjoys a substantial mandate from the people, must leverage its political capital to prioritise the complete restoration of constitutional guarantees under Articles 370 and 35A.
“Statehood without special status is akin to treating the symptoms while ignoring the root cause. The people did not vote for administrative adjustments, they voted for the return of their rights, their land, and their constitutional dignity,” the PDP spokesperson said.
The PDP reiterated its position that statehood, while important, cannot be the ultimate goal.
“The restoration of Articles 370 and 35A must remain central to any political roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir. The party pledges its full support to any multi-party initiative that seeks to build a united front — both in Parliament and on the ground — toward this larger objective,” he said.
“We urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to lead with courage and clarity — not just on statehood, but on the full restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional position. This is not just a political necessity, but a moral obligation,” Beg said.
The PDP calls on all political parties and the people of J-K to unite in the struggle for justice, dignity, and constitutional rights, he added.
