Jammu: Former Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad has made a strong appeal to the Central Government, urging the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
In a significant statement, Azad said the people of Jammu and Kashmir still recall a time when governance was transparent and development was a top priority. He highlighted that during his tenure in national politics, his government had played a key role in granting statehood to Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.
“The demand for statehood is not new. It reflects the democratic and constitutional aspirations of the people,” Azad remarked. He added that residents of the region still remember the “Azad era” as a time marked by administrative stability and rapid development.
“Restoring statehood is not only a constitutional obligation but also a matter of identity and dignity for Jammu and Kashmir,” he emphasized.
Azad’s remarks come amid growing concerns among citizens over the prolonged delay in reinstating Jammu and Kashmir’s former status. The region was downgraded from a state to a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to democratic values, Azad stated that the DPAP would continue to represent the voice of the people through peaceful and democratic means. He urged the Centre to expedite the process and restore statehood without further delay.
