Ghulam Nabi Azad Urges Immediate Restoration of Jammu & Kashmir Statehood | The Sooner, The Better
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 24 July 2025
A Political Voice for Urgency and Unity
In the ever-evolving political landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad has yet again taken a firm stand on one of the region’s most sensitive and critical demands—the restoration of statehood. During his recent visit to Reasi district, the seasoned politician and current chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) struck a chord with the public, reiterating that “the sooner, the better” is not just a slogan but a political and moral necessity.
With a career that spans over five decades and includes leadership roles in both state and central politics, Azad is no stranger to the pulse of Jammu & Kashmir. His latest remarks reflect the growing public impatience, cross-party consensus, and constitutional urgency over the prolonged status of Jammu & Kashmir as a Union Territory.
In this in-depth analysis, we unpack Azad’s statements, place them in the broader political context, explore public sentiment, and assess the future trajectory of the statehood debate.
Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Statehood Statement: A Demand Rooted in Justice
“This is not about Hindu or Muslim… This is about everyone.”
Ghulam Nabi Azad’s statement in Reasi district wasn’t merely political rhetoric—it was a heartfelt and strategic appeal for unity and pragmatism. Speaking to the media and local citizens, Azad emphasized that the demand for statehood transcends religious, regional, and party lines.
“This is not a matter of Hindu or Muslim, or of Kashmir or Jammu; it concerns every party, religion, and community,” he said, echoing the broad-based demand that has gripped Jammu & Kashmir since its special status under Article 370 was revoked and the region was downgraded from a state to a Union Territory on August 5, 2019.
In saying, “The sooner, the better,” Azad didn’t just push for a faster timeline—he re-emphasized that delaying statehood will only deepen existing issues: unemployment, governance vacuum, lack of infrastructure, and public distrust.
From Article 370 to Statehood: Drawing a Line Between Two Battles
The Difference Between Autonomy and Administration
One of the most important aspects of Azad’s remarks was his clear distinction between Article 370 and the question of statehood.
While Article 370 was about constitutional autonomy and special rights, statehood concerns governance, legislative power, and democratic representation.
Azad pointed out:
“We may have lost Article 370 for now, but there should be no confusion—the return of full-fledged statehood is an immediate and achievable goal.”
This distinction is both tactical and strategic. By separating the emotional and legal complexities of Article 370 from the governance urgency of statehood, Azad seeks to create common ground among parties that may disagree on the former but are aligned on the latter.
Why Restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s Statehood Matters: The Core Issues
01. Governance Vacuum and Administrative Paralysis
Since being turned into a Union Territory, Jammu & Kashmir has been governed directly by New Delhi through a Lieutenant Governor. While some argue that it brought bureaucratic efficiency, others—including Azad—believe it created a disconnect between the administration and the people.
Without an elected assembly and local government, critical issues like education, healthcare, power supply, agriculture, and industrial policy are suffering from inertia.
“Statehood ensures accountability,” Azad said. “A bureaucrat sitting in an office can’t understand the daily struggle of a farmer in Poonch or a student in Anantnag.”
02. Development and Infrastructure: Growth in Limbo
The BJP-led central government has made repeated claims about post-370 development. But ground reports and public sentiment tell a mixed story.
There are visible developments in some sectors—such as roads and tourism—but long-term growth areas like industrial investment, IT parks, healthcare networks, and higher education still lag behind.
Azad argues that real development requires elected leadership that understands regional priorities and fights for budget allocations.
Political Consensus Across the Spectrum: An Unusual Unity
Perhaps the most significant part of Azad’s call is that he is not alone. The demand for restoring statehood has seen support from all major parties in Jammu & Kashmir—be it BJP, National Conference (NC), PDP, Congress, or new regional outfits.
BJP’s Stand
Home Minister Amit Shah has, on several occasions, promised that statehood would be restored “at an appropriate time”. However, no specific roadmap or timeline has been offered.
Azad, while expressing gratitude for these assurances, stressed:
“I believe Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah will fulfill their promise—but we must remind them: now is the time.”
NC, PDP, and Congress Speak in Unison
While NC and PDP continue to demand both statehood and restoration of Article 370, they have vocally supported the idea of immediate statehood as a practical first step.
Congress has also included statehood restoration in its public campaigns, stating that democracy is incomplete without it.
DPAP’s Political Strategy: Realism Over Rhetoric
As the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Azad has adopted a pragmatic approach. While other regional leaders focus on constitutional battles that may take years or decades, Azad has prioritized winnable goals—and statehood is at the top.
This position helps DPAP appeal to moderate voters, business owners, youth, and civil society members who are tired of endless ideological fights and want tangible governance solutions.
Azad’s clarity on not mixing emotional politics with development goals is both politically strategic and socially impactful.
Public Sentiment on Statehood: What the People of J&K Really Want
Ground-level sentiment in Jammu & Kashmir reflects overwhelming support for the return of statehood.
A 2024 survey by a local think tank found:
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72% of respondents favored early restoration of statehood
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64% believed local elected governments are more responsive than centrally appointed administrators
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57% felt that being a Union Territory limits their political voice
From shopkeepers in Srinagar to traders in Jammu and farmers in Kupwara, the frustration is growing. Local stakeholders want a government that listens to their concerns—and that’s only possible with legislative assembly elections and full state powers.
Media Rumors and Distractions: Azad’s Clarion Call for Focus
“Stop chasing Vice-President rumors.”
In a pointed remark, Azad dismissed speculation about being nominated for the post of Vice-President, calling it a “distraction from real issues.”
“I am not interested in any post. People are jobless, industries are shutting down, youth are migrating. Let’s talk about that,” he said, urging the media to steer public discourse back to issues that matter.
This highlights a growing problem in modern political coverage: the media’s obsession with gossip and positioning, rather than accountability and governance.
A Call for Unity and Urgency: Can J&K’s Leaders Rise Above Differences?
Azad’s statement wasn’t just a political message—it was a blueprint for political cooperation.
By saying that statehood is not a matter of Hindu or Muslim, or of Kashmir or Jammu, he laid the groundwork for pan-J&K unity—a rare but necessary ingredient for change.
Political observers believe that if all major parties speak in one voice, the Centre will be morally and democratically compelled to restore statehood sooner than later.
Constitutional Mechanisms for Statehood: The Legal Path Forward
Restoring statehood is not just a political promise—it has constitutional and legal mechanisms available.
Article 3 of the Indian Constitution
The Parliament has the power to create new states or change the status of existing ones. The abrogation of statehood and bifurcation into Union Territories was done through the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The same act or a fresh amendment could restore full statehood—without necessarily reversing the abrogation of Article 370.
Precedents from Other States
Azad pointed out that India has restored statehood before—for example, in Delhi and Puducherry, and even dissolved UT status in places like Goa and Himachal Pradesh in the past.
Thus, restoring statehood to Jammu & Kashmir is constitutionally feasible and politically viable.
What Comes Next? The Road Ahead for J&K Statehood
Possible Timelines
While the central government has not issued an official timeline, several indicators suggest movement on the issue may happen before the next general elections.
The Delimitation Commission’s completion, increased political outreach from BJP leaders, and ongoing development schemes may serve as precursors to statehood restoration.
Elections in Sight?
The Supreme Court has also asked the government to hold elections in Jammu & Kashmir “at the earliest,” strengthening the case for statehood restoration alongside electoral exercise.
Bottom-Line: A Message That Resonates
Ghulam Nabi Azad’s message from Reasi isn’t just a political soundbite—it’s a collective cry for dignity, democracy, and development.
His call for immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir—anchored in unity, inclusiveness, and constitutional clarity—is both timely and necessary.
The challenge now lies in turning consensus into action, and sentiment into statute.
