J&K’s Statehood Restoration: A Call for Union Territory

• J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has called for the restoration of Statehood to the Union Territory.
• This call is a demand from the newly elected regime and a reiteration of the Centre’s promise.
• The LG also represents the President, who administers all Union Territories.
• The Union government had promised J&K to return to its Statehood, which was downgraded and divided into two Union Territories in August 2019.
• The promise holds true now, with Assembly elections held and a representative government installed.
• The Constitution Bench decided not to decide on the permissibility of the State’s reorganisation into two Union Territories.
• The high turnout in the Assembly elections demonstrates the people’s faith in democratic institutions and their desire for a return to popular rule.
• The restoration of Statehood is a matter of priority for the people, and there is no reason for any further delay in conferring Statehood.
• There is concern over the security situation, with a spurt in militant attacks.
• The need for the elected regime to expand its governance space by the benefits of full Statehood brooks no delay.