Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday, 10 July asserted that the Centre would restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) at an appropriate time, responding to mounting pressure from J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his party for an early resolution on the issue.

Background: The Statehood Demand

J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — in 2019, following the Centre's abrogation of the special status granted under Article 370. Since then, the demand for restoring full statehood has remained a central political issue in the region.

Earlier this week, CM Omar Abdullah announced that his party, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), would hold a protest in Delhi on 20 July to press for the restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees. Notably, Farooq Abdullah, president of the National Conference, has for the first time extended an invitation to parties associated with the INDIA Bloc, as well as non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outfits including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal, Biju Janata Dal, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), to participate in the demonstration.

What Giriraj Singh Said

Speaking to reporters, Giriraj Singh launched a sharp attack on Farooq Abdullah, alleging that he and his family had 'consistently spoken in favour of Pakistan and advocated bringing separatists into the political mainstream.'

'At a time when Hindus were being killed in Kashmir, they were enjoying the privileges of power. They want separatists and terrorists to be brought into the political mainstream. The government will grant statehood at the right time,' Singh said.

The Union Minister offered no specific timeline for the restoration of statehood, reiterating only that the Centre would act when it deemed the moment appropriate.

Singh's Remarks on Samajwadi Party and Congress

Singh also targeted Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, making pointed remarks about the party's stance on Sanatan Dharma. He alleged that both the SP and the Indian National Congress (Congress) had historically undermined Hindu sentiments.

'Akhilesh Yadav should have gone a step further and said that Samajwad itself is Sanatan. He could have also said that those who ordered firing on Ram devotees are the biggest followers of Sanatan, like Mulayam Singh Yadav,' Singh said, referring to the 1990 Ayodhya firing controversy associated with former UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Singh also invoked remarks attributed to Ram Gopal Yadav, and alleged that the so-called 'tukde-tukde gang' sought Muslim votes while 'abusing Sanatanis.'

What Happens Next

The National Conference-led protest in Delhi on 20 July is expected to draw opposition parties and sharpen political pressure on the Centre ahead of any decision on statehood. Whether the coalition of non-BJP parties can sustain a unified front on the issue remains to be seen, and the Centre's timeline for restoration remains undefined.