SC’s reference to Pahalgam shows Center’s unwillingness to ease its grip over J-K: Mehbooba

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said the Supreme Court’s reference to the Pahalgam terror attack while hearing a petition for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood highlights the Centre’s lack of confidence in the region’s stability even after reducing it to a Union territory.

The BJP-led government at the Centre seems unwilling to ease its grip over Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba said in her reaction on X.

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The Supreme Court sought a response from the Centre in eight weeks on a plea seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

She wrote “SC’s reference to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in the context of granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir underscores a deeper issue about GOIs continued lack of confidence in the region’s stability. Even after revoking J&K’s special status & reducing it to a Union Territory, the Centre appears unwilling to ease its tight control”.

“This reflects a deeper political and psychological deadlock. PDP maintains that the Jammu and Kashmir issue goes far beyond questions of statehood or constitutional status. Unless New Delhi engages with the political aspirations of the people and addresses the core issue head-on it will remain on uncertain footing regardless of the force it deploys”.

“It is time GOI corrects past missteps & initiates a sincere process of dialogue and reconciliation to bring lasting peace and dignity to the region”, Mehbooba added.

Chief spokesman of the ruling National Conference Tanvir Sadiq said it is deeply unfair to delay Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood again. Our people trusted democracy and deserve its results. The Centre must not punish innocent citizens for no fault of theirs,” said Sadiq.

Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone asked chief minister Omar Abdullah to call an emergency session of the Assembly in the next two days and let us pass a resolution.