Jammu, 10 August (H.S.): The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Jammu and Kashmir unit has issued a strong demand for the immediate restoration of full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the Central Government of betraying the people’s trust and undermining the region’s unique identity.

Led by BSP J&K president Darshan Rana, a high-level delegation including Charnjit Chargotra, Tilak Raj Bhagat, Haji Shak Mohd, Gani Aftab, Tarsem Lal (District president BSP Jammu), Raj Kumar Thapa, Pritam Chand, Gurdev Singh, and others, submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the Divisional Commissioner Jammu. Simultaneously, BSP district presidents across the Union Territory handed over identical memorandums to their respective Deputy Commissioners, reinforcing the party’s united stand.

In a sharp criticism of the Centre’s inaction, the BSP condemned the continued denial of Statehood, calling it a “direct assault on the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.”

“The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 came with clear assurances that Statehood would be restored. Six years later, nothing has changed—centralized control has only alienated the people and eroded their trust in democratic institutions,” said Sham Lal Dogra, district president Udhampur and Zonal Coordinator for Reasi-Udhampur-Ramban, who led the team in Udhampur.

Key concerns raised in the memorandum included- loss of constitutional identity and erosion of Jammu & Kashmir’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage; diminished local governance and disconnect between decision-makers and citizens; failure to deliver promised benefits after the 2019 bifurcation and creation of two UTs and centralized power with no tangible advantages for the common people.

“This is a fight for dignity, autonomy and the preservation of our identity. Any further delay in restoring Statehood will be seen as a grave betrayal.” Darshan Rana said.

BSP has called on civil society and the media to join this campaign, vowing to escalate the movement through protests, awareness drives and legal action until Statehood is restored.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar