Sadhotra Accuses BJP of Betrayal Over Denial of Statehood to Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he described as a “tale of broken promises” over the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the denial amounted to a direct assault on the democratic spirit of the country.

In a strongly worded statement, Sadhotra recalled that the BJP-led government had given categorical assurances both in Parliament and before the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored after the completion of the delimitation exercise and the holding of elections.

“Delimitation has been completed, elections have been held, but the BJP has now conveniently backtracked on its promise. This betrayal is not just of the people of Jammu and Kashmir but of the very principles of democracy that India prides itself on,” he said.

He argued that withholding statehood despite repeated commitments was tantamount to trampling upon the democratic rights of millions of citizens. “India, which proudly calls itself the world’s largest democracy, cannot afford to treat a region and its people as second-class citizens. Denial of statehood undermines the very idea of India and dents the credibility of constitutional guarantees,” Sadhotra said.

Emphasising that statehood was a fundamental democratic right, not a privilege, the NC leader said that the BJP’s doublespeak had eroded public faith and deepened alienation. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been deprived of their identity and decision-making powers for far too long,” he remarked.

Sadhotra also questioned how a party claiming to uphold democratic values could disregard its own assurances made in the highest forums of the nation. “When commitments given on the floor of Parliament and before the Supreme Court are dishonoured, it shakes the very foundation of federalism and democracy across India,” he said.

Taking on the BJP’s legislators from Jammu, Sadhotra asked why they were failing to rally behind the demand of statehood. “What is stopping the BJP MLAs from raising their voice in unison on an issue that directly concerns the dignity, rights, and future of their own people? Silence at this critical juncture amounts to complicity in betrayal,” he said, adding that the BJP had ditched the voters of the Jammu region who had given it a massive mandate in the assembly elections.

He cautioned the ruling party against pursuing policies that push Jammu and Kashmir into “perpetual uncertainty”. Restoration of statehood, he said, was central to winning the trust of the people. “By running away from its commitment, the BJP is sending a dangerous message that political promises are expendable and constitutional guarantees negotiable,” he warned.

Reiterating the National Conference’s stand, Sadhotra said the party would continue to spearhead the democratic struggle for restoration of full statehood “with dignity and authority”. He urged all democratic forces, civil society groups, and citizens to join the call for immediate restoration.

“History will not forgive those who weaken democracy for political expediency. The BJP may run away from its commitments today, but it cannot suppress the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Statehood is our right, and we will continue to fight for it till it is restored in totality,” Sadhotra said.