Delay in restoration of statehood hampers holistic development of J&K: Sadhotra

National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Monday said the continued delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is severely obstructing its overall development and undermining the aspirations of its people.

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Addressing a 'day-long workers' convention of Jammu Rural District 'A' held under the chairmanship of Raghubir Singh Manhas District President, Sadhotra emphasized that statehood is not merely a political status but a symbol of the people's dignity and self-esteem.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are yearning for the restoration of their democratic rights that enable them to live with dignity, decide their own developmental priorities, and shape their collective future. "Stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood and reducing it to a Union Territory has not only demoted the status of a historically significant and vast region, but also trampled upon its distinct ethos and identity," he said, adding that governance from a distance cannot substitute the sense of empowerment that comes with locally elected and accountable governments.