New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram has emphasized that the new Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir setup’s first task should be to demand restoration of statehood, with support from all INDIA bloc parties.

Accoridng to Kashmir Media Serviced, he made this statement following the National Conference-Congress alliance’s victory in the recent IIOJK assembly elections.

Chidambaram expressed concerns that the Lieutenant Governor of Kashmir has taken powers that undermine the people’s verdict, just days before the new government takes office. He advocated for approaching court if the Modi government fails to agree to restore statehood.

This development comes after the President’s Rule was revoked in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah is set to take oath as the Chief Minister on October 16.

However, the people of Jammu and Kashmir remain resolute in their pursuit of self-determination, a right pledged by the United Nations, and consider all other issues, including statehood restoration and the revival of Articles 370 and 35-A, as secondary to this primary objective. This unwavering focus on self-determination stems from the territory’s complex history, marked by India’s revocation of its special status in 2019, which further solidified the Kashmiris’ resolve to resist Indian occupation.

For decades, Kashmiris have faced human rights violations, military sieges, and restrictions on their freedom, fueling their determination to exercise their right to self-determination. The Indian government’s actions, such as the repeal of Article 370, have been widely seen as an attempt to alter the demographic makeup of the territory, undermining the Kashmiri people’s majority character and cultural identity.

In this context, the demand for self-determination transcends party politics, with Kashmiris emphasizing their inalienable right to decide their own future, as enshrined in UN resolutions.