Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 26: National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, today launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for reneging on its solemn commitment of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a tale of broken promises and a deliberate assault on the democratic spirit of the country.
In a statement, Sadhotra recalled that the BJP-led government had given categorical assurances both in the Parliament and before the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored after the completion of the delimitation exercise and the conduct of elections.
"Delimitation has been completed, and elections have been held , but the BJP has now conveniently backtracked on its promise. This betrayal is not just of the people of Jammu and Kashmir but of the very principles of democracy that India prides itself on, he said. He said that denying statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, despite repeated commitments, amounts to trampling upon the democratic rights of millions of citizens. India, which proudly calls itself the world's largest democracy, cannot afford to treat a region and its people as second-class citizens. Denial of statehood undermines the very idea of India and dents the credibility of the constitutional guarantees given to its people, he added. Mr Sadhotra emphasized that statehood is not a privilege but a fundamental democratic right that cannot be withheld at the whims of a ruling dispensation. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been deprived of their identity and decision-making powers for far too long. The BJP's doublespeak on the issue has exposed its hypocrisy, eroded public faith, and deepened the sense of alienation," he added.
Sadhotra questioned how a party that claims to uphold democratic values could so casually disregard its own assurances given at the highest forums of the nation. When commitments made on the floor of Parliament and before the highest court of the land are dishonored, it is not just Jammu and Kashmir that suffers; it shakes the very foundation of federalism and democracy across India, he said.
Sadhotra asked BJP MLAs from the Jammu region why they were failing to rally behind the legitimate demand of the people and press their central leadership to fulfill the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir.
"What is stopping the BJP legislators from raising their voice in unison on an issue that directly concerns the dignity, rights, and future of their own people? Silence at this critical juncture amounts to complicity in betrayal, he said, adding that the BJP has ditched the voters of the Jammu region who gave them massive mandate in the assembly elections.
He cautioned the BJP against pursuing policies that push Jammu and Kashmir into perpetual uncertainty. Restoration of statehood is central to winning the trust and confidence of the people. By running away from its commitment, the BJP is sending a dangerous message that political promises are expendable and that constitutional guarantees are negotiable, he said hoping good sense will prevail upon the BJP. Reiterating the National Conference's consistent stand, Sadhotra said that his party will continue to spearhead the democratic struggle for the restoration of full statehood with dignity and authority. He urged all democratic forces, civil society groups, and citizens at large to raise their voice against the BJP's betrayal and to demand immediate restoration of statehood.
"History will not forgive those who weaken democracy for political expediency. The BJP may run away from its commitments today, but it cannot suppress the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Statehood is our right, and we will continue to fight for it till it is restored in totality," Sadhotra said |
