Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said on Sunday that Jammu and Kashmir has been the "crown and soul of India" for centuries and demanded restoration of statehood.
“Jammu and Kashmir is the crown and soul of India and very popular for its unmatched beauty, culture, and history in the whole world”, DyCM said while addressing Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar where he unfurled the national flag and inspected the march past.
“We pledge for the peace, prosperity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir” Choudhary said.
He said the government will also play a role in providing justice to the people.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are known for their hard work, hospitality, brotherhood but have gone through various challenges for the past some years especially after the state was turned into a Union Territory in 2019”, he said adding “this has created a dissatisfaction in the hearts of the people”.
“The demand of the people to return the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir should be fulfilled”, he urged.
He said the Prime Minister had promised to restore the statehood and should fulfil it at the earliest.
“On this occasion we appeal to the central government to restore the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir that not only will bring back the self-confidence of the people but will open the ways for the development besides it will also strengthen the peace, prosperity democratic moles”, he added.
The DyCM said the promises made by the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir will be fulfilled in a phased manner.
“Whatever the promises have been made by their Government will be fulfilled one by one,” he said.
“The recent elections witnessed a massive voter turnout in which people put their trust in us after being promised several things. We are committed to fulfill all those promises one by one and the government led by Omar Abdullah has been working day-in and day-out to fulfill all the promises”, he added.
On return of Kashmir Pandits, the Deputy Chief Minister said every single people across J&K is pained over the exodus of the community, but the government has been working hard to bring them back.
“We are on it and our round-the-clock efforts will bring fruit soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after paying tributes to fallen soldiers at the Balidan Stambh in Srinagar, Choudhary said, "Today, a political government is unfurling the tricolour after six years on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations here, which is a great honour for us."
On the issue of special status, he remarked, "As far as the special status is concerned, there are many states in India where this special status has been granted."
“Jammu and Kashmir where the special status was given by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, becomes our right and we would get it back from the same constitution of which the day we are celebrating today”.
Choudhary said the Jammu and Kashmir government run by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has categorically made it clear by passing the resolution of special status in the very first meeting in the state Assembly.
“I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir, India and all those Indians who are living in the world celebrating the occasion”, he said.