Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, May 6: National president of the Indian Youth Congress, Uday Bhanu Chib today called for decisive shift in approach, asserting that the demand for Statehood must move beyond appeals and evolve into a sustained, assertive political movement capable of exerting real pressure on the Central Government led by the BJP.
Addressing Congress convention at Doda today, Chib, while linking the larger constitutional question with pressing grassroots concerns in district Doda, highlighted the key public demands, including jobs for locals in mega projects, the creation of a Doda Development Authority to boost tourism, construction of the Dessa–Kapran road, provision of an air ambulance for the erstwhile Doda district, establishment of a women’s college, and granting of Pahari status.
Framing the Statehood issue as one of constitutional dignity, democratic rights, and regional identity, Chib underscored that prolonged delays have only deepened public frustration, making it imperative for political actors, especially the youth, to adopt a more proactive and unapologetically forceful stance. He positioned this moment as a turning point in the political discourse of Jammu & Kashmir, where symbolic gestures and formal requests must give way to organized campaigns, mass mobilization, and a clear articulation of political will, adding that the restoration of statehood is not a concession to be granted but a right that must be firmly reclaimed through collective resolve.
Expanding on his remarks, Chib did not hold back in criticizing what he described as a “habit of political submission” among certain leaders, remarking that leaders of the National Conference remain excessively aligned with the BJP leadership, and such an approach will never secure statehood. In a tone that bordered on a direct rebuke, he said that constant deference and political compliance only weaken the larger cause, making it easier for the demand to be ignored at the national level. He stressed that history does not reward those who wait quietly, but those who organize, assert, and persist.
He further highlighted that key promises made to the people, including the removal of smart meters, have not yet been fulfilled, raising serious questions about accountability and intent.
Referring to the ongoing “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” campaign, Chib acknowledged the program as a timely and significant step towards channeling public sentiment into organized political action, and emphasized that it is not limited to symbolic outreach.
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