Rahul Gandhi writes to PM, makes key demand for J&K in Parliament session
The restoration of statehood to the Union Territory has been a long-pending demand of the opposition. However, the Pahalgam terror attack has come as a blow to the demand.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the government to bring a bill for the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.
In the letter, Gandhi said the demand was both legitimate and firmly grounded in their constitutional and democratic rights. However, as per sources, the government has no plans to bring such a bill in the upcoming session, which begins on July 21 (more information on this below).
‘FULL-FLEDGED STATE DOWNGRADED’
When Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was also bifurcated into two Union Territories – J&K, and Ladakh.
“For the past five years, the people of J&K have consistently called for the restoration of full statehood… While there have been instances of Union Territories being granted statehood in the past, the case of J&K is without precedent in independent India. This is the first time a full-fledged state has been downgraded to a Union Territory following its bifurcation,” the letter said.
The restoration of statehood to the Union Territory has been a long-pending demand of the opposition. However, the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which left 26 dead, came as a blow to the demand.
The Congress MP also reminded PM Modi of the government’s assurances before the Supreme Court during hearings challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
“The Union Government has made assurances before the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored at the earliest and as soon as possible,” the letter said.
Both PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured of J&K statehood restoration on several occassions without giving any timeline.
DEMAND FOR LADAKH
Gandhi also urged the Centre to bring a bill to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution – a key demand of several activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, who had gone on an indefinite fast.
“This would be a significant step towards addressing the cultural, developmental, and political aspirations of the people of Ladakh, while safeguarding their rights, land, and identity,” it stated.
The Sixth Schedule provides for the formation of tribal administrative regions. A majority of the population in Ladakh belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
LIKELY BILLS IN PARLIAMENT MONSOON SESSION
As per sources, the new bills that are likely to be introduced in the Monsoon session are:
Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2025
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025
National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Moreover, the pending bills expected to be passed in the session include:
Income Tax Bill, 2025
Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2024
Indian Ports Bill, 2025
Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024
Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
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