Sat Jan 04 09:33:23 UTC 2025: ## Veteran Congress Leader Demands Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir Statehood
**New Delhi, January 4, 2025** – Senior Congress leader and former Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, Karan Singh, has urged the immediate restoration of statehood to the region, calling its current union territory status an “unacceptable diminution” of its importance to India. In an interview with PTI Videos, Singh expressed concerns over the changes implemented following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Singh argued that the shift to union territory status has negatively impacted governance, citing a former ambassador’s assessment that J&K now lags behind states like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in administrative efficiency. He emphasized the historical significance of the region, stating, “We are the crown of India.”
While acknowledging some positive aspects of the Article 370 abrogation, such as granting property rights to women married outside the state and extending franchise to Pakistani migrants, Singh insisted that full statehood is crucial. He also advocated for domiciliary laws similar to those in Himachal Pradesh to protect local land ownership.
Singh, who previously proposed the trifurcation of the state, now believes that restoring statehood, implementing protective domiciliary laws, and fostering peaceful relations between the central and J&K governments are paramount to addressing the situation. He noted that the Supreme Court, while upholding the abrogation of Article 370 in December 2023, stressed the need for a swift return to statehood.
The interview also touched upon Singh’s long political career, his complex relationship with the Abdullah family, and his perspectives on various Congress leaders, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. He praised their potential and abilities, expressing optimism about their future roles in Indian politics.
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