States » NorthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 11:38PM


Shanta Kumar Urges PM Modi to Restore Full Statehood to J&K

Dharamshala, Sept 30 ( UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and former union Minister Shanta Kumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest, saying the region had fulfilled the conditions necessary for the move.
Reacting to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly's recent resolution seeking restoration of full statehood, Kumar said a lengthy debate was held in the Assembly and all parties except the BJP supported the resolution.
He said Article 370 remained in force in Jammu and Kashmir for decades and was considered an impediment to India's unity. Recalling the movement led by Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee against the provision, Kumar said he participated in the Satyagraha in 1953 at the age of 19 and remained in jail for eight months.
Kumar said nearly 80,000 people, including senior leaders of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, had gone to jail during the movement. "Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee made the supreme sacrifice, but Article 370 was not abolished," he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi subsequently took the "historic" step of abrogating the provision.
He said elections were subsequently held in Jammu and Kashmir and people participated in the process peacefully. "Today, Jammu and Kashmir, like other states of India, is an integral part of the country," Kumar said.
The former Chief Minister said leaders of the Central government had repeatedly stated that Jammu and Kashmir would be granted full statehood after normalcy was restored. He also referred to a Supreme Court judgment in this regard.
"After all this, not restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir does not appear just," Kumar said, adding that millions of Indians wanted the region to regain full statehood now that Article 370 had been abrogated and elections had been conducted peacefully.
Kumar also referred to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's statements in favour of India and said he believed the Chief Minister wanted to work more closely with the Centre like other state chief ministers.
He appealed to Prime Minister Modi to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir is granted full statehood at the earliest. Kumar suggested that the Prime Minister personally visit Kashmir and hold a "historic and grand programme" to announce restoration of full statehood.
Kumar said the sacrifice of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and the imprisonment of nearly 80,000 activists, including himself, would become truly meaningful if Jammu and Kashmir was granted full statehood like other states of the country. UNI AR CDS
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