Srinagar — Farooq Abdullah pressed India’s central government on Sunday to act without further delay on restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference president described the holdup as a threat to democratic governance in the disputed region.

Abdullah made the remarks during a public statement, highlighting that residents have waited patiently since the government’s 2019 decision to revoke the area’s special status. That move, enacted through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, split the former state into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

“Statehood is not just a promise—it’s a constitutional right,” Abdullah said. He argued that reinstating it would empower elected leaders to tackle local issues like development, security and employment more effectively. Without it, he warned, accountability suffers and public trust erodes.

The National Conference, a key player in regional politics, leads the current government in Jammu and Kashmir alongside allies. Abdullah’s party secured victory in the 2024 assembly elections, the first since the status change. Campaign pledges included pushing for statehood restoration, a commitment the 87-year-old leader repeated forcefully.

India’s central government has repeatedly assured action. Home Minister Amit Shah stated in March 2024 that statehood would return “at the appropriate time,” after elections concluded. Yet no firm timeline has emerged, frustrating local leaders across party lines.

Abdullah highlighted the people’s restraint amid ongoing tensions. Jammu and Kashmir faces persistent challenges, including militancy and economic stagnation. Restoring statehood, he said, would reinforce constitutional safeguards and support lasting peace.

“The Centre must honor its word,” he added. “Democratic rights form the bedrock of stability here.” His comments echo broader calls from opposition figures and even some ruling coalition partners, who view full statehood as vital for self-rule.

Political observers note the stakes. Union territory status centralizes power in New Delhi, limiting the Jammu and Kashmir assembly’s authority over police, law and land matters. Full statehood would grant a legislature and chief minister greater control, aligning with pre-2019 arrangements under Article 370.

Abdullah, a veteran politician and former chief minister, has long championed Kashmiri autonomy. His father, Sheikh Abdullah, founded the National Conference in 1932. The family’s influence persists, even as New Delhi tightens oversight post the status revocation upheld by India’s Supreme Court in December 2023.

No immediate response came from the central government. Officials in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration have prioritized security improvements and infrastructure projects in the region, including new highways and rail links. Critics, however, say these fall short without political concessions like statehood.

The push comes ahead of potential national discussions. India’s parliament could address the issue in its winter session starting later this month. Abdullah’s urgency reflects mounting pressure from voters who backed his coalition expecting swift change.