Jammu and Kashmir has been pushed into a position of constitutional and political inferiority: Rattan Lal Gupta

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Jammu, July 18:  The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union Government over the continued delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying the people have been subjected to “broken promises, constitutional discrimination and political uncertainty” despite fulfilling every condition laid down by New Delhi.

Addressing a meeting of Jammu district functionaries at Sher-e- Kashmir Bhavan, Jammu today, Gupta said the Centre has repeatedly shifted the goalposts on the issue of statehood. “First, we were told that delimitation had to be completed. Then it was said Assembly elections must be held. Later, peace and normalcy became the excuse. Today, all these conditions stand fulfilled. The people participated enthusiastically in every election, an elected government is functioning, security has significantly improved, tourism is witnessing unprecedented growth and crores of devotees are undertaking the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath Yatras peacefully. What excuse remains now?” he asked.

Gupta said the BJP owes an answer to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for reneging on repeated public assurances made by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister regarding the restoration of statehood.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are asking a simple question: If not now, then when? How long will New Delhi continue to treat us as second-class citizens? How many more generations are expected to wait for what is rightfully theirs?” he said.

Gupta emphasized that the demand for Statehood transcends political affiliations and represents the collective democratic aspiration of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Any further delay would only deepen public disappointment and raise serious concerns about the Centre’s commitment to democratic values and the federal structure of the country.

He urged the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to demonstrate their commitment by introducing and passing the Statehood Restoration Bill during the current session of Parliament. He said this would restore the confidence of the people, strengthen democratic governance, and reinforce the constitutional principles on which the Republic of India stands.

Announcing the National Conference’s proposed protest in Delhi, Gupta said the agitation is aimed at reminding the BJP leadership of its solemn commitments.

“Our protest in Delhi is not merely political; it is a democratic assertion of the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will continue to hold the BJP accountable until it honours the promise repeatedly made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to restore full statehood without any further delay,” he said.

Gupta urged party workers to hold strong protest in each district headquarters on 20^th July, 2026 in support of the demand for immediate  restoration of statehood, asserting that the National Conference will continue its peaceful and democratic struggle until justice is delivered to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Among others who were present in the meeting included: Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary Jammu, Babu Rampal former minister and Central Zone President, Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell, Abdul Gani Teli Chairman OBC Cell, S. Tejinder Pal Singh Aman Provincial President Jammu YNC, Pardeep Bali Provincial Secretary Jammu, Rajni Devi Working President Women Wing Jammu,  Rakesh Singh Raka Vice President Central Zone, Subash Bhagat District President Jammu Rural “A”, Naresh Bittu District President Jammu Rural “B”, Nar Singh President Labour Wing,  Harshvardhan Singh President NCSU, S. Sewak Singh, Shabir Sambyal  Vice Presidents  District Jammu Urban, S. Gurnam Singh District Secretary Jammu Urban, Des Raj Block President R.S Pura, Bhadur Lal Block President Bhau, Ramesh Kumar District President Jammu Urban SC Cell, D.D Mehra District President Jammu Urban OBC Cell,Kuldeep Kour District President Jammu Rural “A” Women Wing, Daljeet Sharma District President Jammu Rural “B” Women Wing, Madan Lal Block President Akhnoor, Devi Dyal Jogi Block Secretary Khour, Sukdev Singh Block President Bhalwal, S. Balwinder Singh Block President Miran Sahib, Naresh Kumar Block President Arnia, Thoru Ram Block President Nagrota,Jagga Ram, Deep Mehra, Rahul Attri, Raja Naveed, Pusp Jandial  and others.