Political parties in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) have welcomed the Congress’s letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pitching for the restoration of full statehood to the territory.  According to Kashmir Media Service, the National Conference (NC) expressed gratitude after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi jointly wrote a letter to Modi, urging the BJP-led Indian government to introduce a bill in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament for reinstating full statehood to IOJK. 

“We welcome this move and thank the Congress leadership for taking the initiative,” said NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said. “There is no justification for further delay. We are hopeful that the government will bring the bill in the Monsoon session,” Dar said.  The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also voice support. PDP pokesperson Mohit Bhan said, “Statehood is the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and there has already been a delay in restoring it”.

“The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have promised it and I think much time has already passed and statehood should be restored now.” Bhan, however, asserted that the core issue remains the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, which were revoked by New Delhi on August 5, 2019. “The real fight is the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, for which it is really important to raise voice in Parliament and in all the institutions of the country,” he said. 

Meanwhile, IOJK Congress chapter president Tariq Karra thanked party leaders for their letter to Modi.“I express my gratitude to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for writing to PM Modi, urging the restoration of full statehood for J&K and inclusion of Ladakh under the 6th Schedule,” Karra posted on X. He said the party demands immediate action in the Monsoon session to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)