J&K Was Once a Country, Then a State, Now a UT: Minister Satish Sharma Calls for Restoration of Statehood

Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma has renewed the demand for the restoration of statehood, saying the region has witnessed a gradual reduction in its constitutional status over the years. Describing the transition from a state to a Union Territory as a “demotion,” the minister urged the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood without further delay.

Addressing the media, Sharma said Jammu and Kashmir has travelled a unique constitutional journey. He remarked that the region was once a distinct political entity, later became a state within the Indian Union, and now functions as a Union Territory. According to him, this shift has reduced the powers of the elected government and affected democratic governance.

The minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been waiting since the constitutional changes of August 2019 for the restoration of full statehood. He stressed that the issue goes beyond politics and reflects the aspirations of citizens who want stronger democratic institutions and greater administrative accountability.

Sharma maintained that restoring statehood would empower the elected government to make decisions more effectively and improve governance across the Union Territory. He said a full-fledged state enjoys greater constitutional authority, enabling it to respond better to public needs and accelerate development.

Referring to repeated assurances from the Union Government, Sharma said the Centre has acknowledged that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time. He urged the government to announce a clear roadmap, adding that people deserve certainty after years of waiting.

The minister also said that the demand for statehood should not be viewed through a political lens. Instead, he described it as an issue of democratic rights, constitutional dignity, and public representation. According to Sharma, restoring statehood would strengthen public confidence in institutions and reinforce the democratic framework of Jammu and Kashmir.

The restoration of Jammu and Kashmir statehood has remained one of the key promises of the National Conference-led government and continues to dominate political discussions in the region. Although the Union Government has reiterated its commitment to restoring statehood at an appropriate stage, no official timeline has been announced so far.

Satish Sharma’s latest remarks have once again placed the issue at the centre of political discourse. As discussions over governance and constitutional status continue, the demand for the restoration of statehood is expected to remain one of the most significant issues shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.

The minister said the Delhi Chalo campaign is not aimed at confrontation but at reinforcing a democratic demand that has been consistently raised since 2019. He maintained that elected representatives have a responsibility to convey the aspirations of the people to the highest levels of government and ensure that the promise of statehood remains a national priority.

The restoration of Jammu and Kashmir statehood continues to be one of the key political issues in the Union Territory. With the National Conference-led government intensifying its outreach through initiatives like the Delhi Chalo campaign, the debate over constitutional status is expected to gain further momentum. Whether the Centre announces a roadmap in the coming months remains to be seen, but the demand for restoring statehood has once again become the focal point of Jammu and Kashmir’s political discourse.