Should J&K Statehood Be Restored? Cong Raises Alarm Over Bihar SIR

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Demand for statehood restoration in Jammu and Kashmir is growing.
- Concerns over electoral roll manipulations in Bihar raise questions about democratic integrity.
- Prime Minister Modi has previously assured restoration of statehood.
- Opposition parties are uniting against the SIR process.
- The Supreme Court's involvement highlights the seriousness of the situation.
New Delhi, July 16 (NationPress) Congress Rajya Sabha MP and party in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, Syed Nasir Hussain, has once again emphasized the need for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to uphold his promise.
He expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, labeling it a "systematic attempt to erase voters".
In an interview with IANS in New Delhi on Wednesday, Hussain remarked, “This marks the first instance in India’s democratic history where a state was reduced to a Union Territory. Reorganisation, delimitation, and elections have been conducted. The only remaining action is the restoration of statehood.”
He highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has publicly made this commitment on several occasions. “On May 19, 2024, in Bhubaneswar, and again on September 19, 2024, in Srinagar, the PM stated that statehood would be reinstated. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders have echoed this promise,” he said.
Hussain confirmed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have reached out to PM Modi, insisting that statehood be granted during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. “Introduce legislation in this Monsoon Session and fulfill your promise,” he urged.
Addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, Hussain accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate voter registries. “Previously, they added voters during the Maharashtra elections; now they are looking to delete voters in Bihar. This is a blatant effort to secure electoral victory through unfair means,” he asserted.
He referenced the opposition from various parties against this issue, stating, “TDP, part of NDA, has raised objections. There are discussions that this SIR may now extend to other regions. Trinamool Congress has already voiced their dissent and even approached the Election Commission to lodge their objections. Numerous petitions have been submitted, and the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on July 28.”
Hussain further critiqued the timing of the SIR amid flooding in Bihar. “Requesting documentation during floods will disadvantage the poor, Dalits, and tribals. They will be at risk of being removed from the voter list. Ultimately, all parties except the BJP will oppose this,” he cautioned.