Jammu, February 5, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday strongly pitched for a clear and time-bound roadmap for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that prolonged uncertainty is eroding public trust.
Participating in the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly, Karra also proposed the formation of an all-party panel of elected MLAs to facilitate the safe, dignified and permanent return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
Karra said the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir was restored only after the intervention of the Supreme Court, implying that the Assembly itself would not have been formed otherwise.
“The LG spoke of participatory governance and public trust, but how can trust exist when the people’s core demand — restoration of statehood — remains unresolved?” he asked, noting that statehood was mentioned in the previous LG address but conspicuously omitted this time.
He reminded the House that the Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, has repeatedly raised the demand for immediate restoration of statehood in Parliament and through formal communication with the Prime Minister.
“Through this House, we ask the Central Government a fundamental question. They keep saying statehood will be granted at an appropriate time. What is that time? What is its benchmark? And how long must the people of Jammu and Kashmir wait?” Karra said.
Taking a veiled dig at the BJP, Karra warned against voices advocating the creation of a separate Jammu state, saying such ideas have historically deepened regional mistrust.
“History is witness that this is not a new demand. In the past, it weakened the collective strength of Jammu and Kashmir and damaged unity,” he said, stressing the need for communal harmony and regional cohesion.
The Congress leader also criticised the LG’s address for allegedly ignoring two major humanitarian concerns — the rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits and the unresolved issues of refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971.
“The rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits cannot be achieved through symbolic gestures or financial packages alone. What is needed is a comprehensive, permanent and dignified plan that ensures their security, economic stability and social rights,” Karra said.
He proposed the establishment of a standing committee of elected representatives to formally engage with the Kashmiri Pandit community and prepare a ground-level, practical strategy to ensure their safe and honorable return to the Valley.
Raising the issue of West Pakistani refugees, Karra said the ₹30 lakh one-time package per family, approved during the UPA government’s tenure, should be implemented in full. He pointed out that only ₹5 lakh has been released so far by the present central government.
He further demanded the creation of an effective welfare board to address their long-pending concerns, particularly those related to land ownership and settlement, so that the humanitarian issue can be resolved permanently.
