SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 11: Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Sunday said the Centre could take a decision on restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days, reiterating the assurance given by the government after the abrogation of Article 370.
“After the abrogation of Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had given this assurance that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be restored. And it can definitely be decided after a few days,” Athawale told reporters at a press conference in Srinagar.
Responding to a question about the demand for statehood by the ruling National Conference government, Athawale said the Centre would consider the matter but clarified that he could not provide a definite timeline.
“Our government is definitely going to think about it. If you look at Amit Shah’s speech, when he announced the Union Territory status for J&K, the government said that we will do it when the time comes,” he said.
“I can’t say when it will happen. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah know when it will happen. But they have promised to do it,” the minister added.
Athawale also highlighted the Centre’s development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, including improvements in road infrastructure, national highways, tunnels and railway connectivity. He said the government was working to support the region’s development.
On the security situation, the minister said violence in Jammu and Kashmir had declined since the abrogation of Article 370. However, he alleged that Pakistan continued to encourage hostile activities despite improvements in the situation.
“There has been a lot of reduction in violence. But when there is peace, Pakistan tries to shoot someone,” he said, referring to the Pahalgam terror attack last year, in which 25 tourists and a local resident were killed.
Athawale maintained that India did not want a conflict with Pakistan and urged Islamabad to stop supporting terrorist activities and pursue peaceful relations with New Delhi.
He also referred to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), claiming that people living there were dissatisfied with Pakistan’s administration. He said Pakistan should prioritise economic development and the welfare of its people instead of promoting hostility towards India.
The minister’s remarks come amid continued demands from political parties in Jammu and Kashmir for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
