Jammu, 18 August (H.S.): Senior Congress leader and former Minister Chowdhary Lal Singh today questioned the continued delay in restoring Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that there was no justification for withholding it when the Centre itself claims that normalcy has returned to the Union Territory.

Speaking with reporters here, Singh said the responsibility for restoring Statehood rests entirely with the Central Government and asked why the process was being delayed despite repeated assurances.

If not now, then when? Singh said, arguing that J&K was downgraded to a Union Territory without the recommendation of an elected Government and that there should be no obstacle to restoring its Statehood.

He said people of J&K continue to feel aggrieved over the loss of Statehood and warned that the demand would not fade until it is fulfilled.

There is no other state that was turned into a Union Territory in this manner. People are pained and we condemn it. If Statehood is not restored, people will continue to struggle and fight for it, he said.

The Congress leader said his party has been consistently raising the issue through protests and public campaigns and would continue its efforts until Statehood is restored.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar