Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: Social and political activist Jayesh Gupta today demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued, he expressed disappointment over the continued Union Territory (UT) status of the region, emphasizing that this shift, which followed the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, has significantly diluted democratic governance.
Gupta reminded the Central Government of its promise to reinstate statehood and urged that the commitment be fulfilled at the earliest to uphold the democratic ethos of the nation.
He further argued that the current structure denies the people of Jammu and Kashmir the autonomy they once exercised as a State.
“The absence of legislative and executive powers prevents elected leaders from addressing local issues effectively, which in turn leads to public disillusionment with democratic institutions,” Gupta said and warned that such a scenario risks alienating citizens and weakening federalism.
“Elections must empower representatives, not merely serve as symbolic gestures. Genuine grassroots democracy requires constitutional authority and accountability,” he said.
Gupta urged the Central Government to prioritize the restoration of statehood before proceeding with any electoral processes in the region.
“This step is essential for ensuring effective governance, democratic integrity, and the socio-political empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he maintained.
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