The people of Jammu and Kashmir are once again watching New Delhi closely. With Parliament introducing constitutional amendments relating to Union Territories, speculation is rife: will statehood finally be restored to J&K? For a region that has endured years of political uncertainty since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, this question is more than procedural—it goes to the very heart of dignity and democracy.
When Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded to a Union Territory, it was not just an administrative change but an emotional rupture. A proud state with a distinct identity was suddenly reduced to being governed primarily by bureaucrats, with limited say for its own people. Elections may have returned representatives, but governance without statehood remains incomplete. The Valley knows well that true democracy is not measured only by the ballot box, but also by the sense of ownership people feel over their institutions.
Today, the government in Delhi has an opportunity to rebuild trust. Restoring statehood would not be a concession, but a constitutional necessity—one that assures the people of J&K that their identity and aspirations matter. The demand is simple: let elected representatives govern with the authority befitting a state, not as administrators under constant central oversight.
Jammu and Kashmir does not seek special favors, only the same rights and dignity enjoyed by other states of the Union. If peace and progress are to take root, statehood must not remain a promise deferred. Democracy in the Valley cannot breathe fully until this restoration is made.
The message is clear: Elections bring voices, but statehood brings trust. And without trust, no democracy can truly thrive.
