Leaders of Opposition in each Homes of Parliament – Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge – on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi searching for introduction of laws within the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to grant full statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The letter comes a day after Congress leaders, after a gathering of the get together’s high brass, mentioned the difficulty might be raised prominently within the Monsoon Session, which begins on Monday.
Of their joint letter, Gandhi and Kharge wrote: “For the previous 5 years, the individuals of Jammu and Kashmir have constantly referred to as for the restoration of full statehood. This demand is each reliable and firmly grounded of their constitutional and democratic rights.”
The Congress leaders mentioned it was “vital” to recognise that whereas there have been cases of Union territories being granted statehood prior to now, the case of Jammu and Kashmir is with out precedent in impartial India.
“That is the primary time a full-fledged state has been downgraded to a Union territory following its bifurcation,” learn the letter.
It additional mentioned that PM Modi has on a number of events, personally reiterated the federal government’s dedication to restoring statehood. “In your interview in Bhubaneswar on 19 Might 2024, you said: ‘The restoration of statehood is a solemn promise we now have made and we stand by it.’ Once more, whereas addressing a rally in Srinagar on 19 September 2024, you reaffirmed: ‘We’ve mentioned in Parliament that we’ll restore the area’s statehood’,” the letter learn.
It additionally talked about that the Centre has made “related assurances” earlier than the Supreme Court docket, throughout hearings on issues associated to the abrogation of Article 370, that statehood can be restored “on the earliest and as quickly as potential.”
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“In view of the foregoing and aforementioned, we urge upon the Authorities to convey ahead a laws within the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to grant full statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” the letter added.
‘Embody Ladakh underneath Sixth Schedule’
The 2 LOPs additionally requested that the federal government convey ahead laws to incorporate the Union Territory of Ladakh underneath the Sixth Schedule of the Structure.
“This might be a major step in direction of addressing the cultural, developmental, and political aspirations of the individuals of Ladakh, whereas safeguarding their rights, land, and identification,” it mentioned.
On August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two Union territories after the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s particular standing. Following the repeal of Article 370 and the following enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, Ladakh has been recognised as a separate Union territory “with out legislature”.
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Ever for the reason that separation, there was a requirement that Ladakh be included underneath the Sixth Schedule which incorporates provisions relating to the administration of tribal areas within the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.