J&K to get Statehood soon: Athawale

Aug 31, 2025 J&K to get Statehood soon JKUpdates

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale today said Statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir soon. He said that India ensured the targeted elimination of terrorists through Operation Sindoor post Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking to reporters here, Athawale said Pakistan wanted to collapse Kashmir’s economy by attacking tourists in Pahalgam, but India gave a befitting reply.

“India did not want war with Pakistan, but we had to eradicate the terrorists, and that target has been achieved through Operation Sindoor. We stopped after achieving that target, not because Trump wanted us to,” he said.

The Minister said that after the abrogation of Article 370, over two crore tourists visited Kashmir without fear.
“But what happened in Pahalgam — despite that, tourists continue to come. Pakistan attempted to instill fear and collapse Kashmir’s economy, but the Government has given a strong reply,” he added.

“We want peace and progress in Kashmir, and Pakistan should stop sending terrorists here. There should be peace,” he stressed.

Athawale said he believed the Statehood to J&K will be restored soon. “I think J&K should get back its Statehood as soon as possible, and there is a demand for that also.”

When asked how much more time it can take for that, the Minister said, “I cannot tell you when, but I believe it will happen soon.”

“Only the Prime Minister can take a call on when Statehood will be restored, but I am confident it will happen shortly,” he added.

”I thank the people of J&K for that, for not succumbing to fear. When (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah abrogated Article 370, he stated that J&K will soon get its Statehood back and I think the Government of India can take that decision soon in the future,” he said.

He said that when the Assembly elections took place in J&K last year, more than 60 per cent voting was recorded – which was more than many other States in the country.

The Minister said that after the abrogation of Article 370, development had picked up in J&K and should now gain further pace.

“For this, J&K has the full support of the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Efforts are on to bring industries here to create jobs and boost the hospitality sector,” he said.
Athawale also said he would take up the issue of establishing a Women’s Commission in J&K with the Prime Minister. “It should exist here as it does in other States,” he noted.

He added that his Ministry is implementing a number of schemes and awareness camps will soon be held in Kashmir for people. “Youth should take advantage of MSME benefits. If industries come here, unemployment will be eradicated,” he said.

On the damages caused by floods and cloudbursts in J&K, Athawale said that the Centre would also provide assistance to people and farmers once the damage caused by floods is assessed. “The Prime Minister is committed to the progress and development of J&K.”

On Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visits, Athawale said: “Whenever needed, the Home Minister has been coming to J&K to ensure progress and development in all sectors. When the Pahalgam attack happened, he reached here within hours.”

Highlighting the country’s economic growth, he said that India’s GDP is rising.

“Our economy is not weak; it is leading the world. From 10th position, we have now moved to 4th, then 3rd, and one day we will surpass the US to become the number one economy.”

The Minister, who was in Srinagar to meet workers from 10 districts of Kashmir, said his party, the Republican Party of India, has decided to contest the upcoming local body elections in Kashmir