Rattan Lal Gupta, provincial president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government, accusing it of exhibiting a “step-motherly” attitude towards state governments that do not align with the ruling party’s political ideology. Gupta asserted that this approach is not merely politically regrettable but also constitutes an affront to the democratic will of the electorate and undermines the foundational principles of the Indian Constitution.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new provincial office for the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference in Gandhi Nagar, Gupta articulated his concerns to party workers. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the NC leader emphasized that the Centre’s differential treatment of elected state governments based on their political affiliation is a direct insult to the mandates bestowed by the people. He argued that the central government must demonstrate respect for the electoral verdict, irrespective of the political party that secures a victory and forms the government in any given state.
Gupta specifically highlighted the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that despite the people electing their representatives in 2024, the long-standing demand for the restoration of full statehood to the region remains unaddressed. He contended that the denial of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir effectively deprives its citizens of the complete constitutional and democratic framework that citizens in other states enjoy. The NC leader stressed that the residents of Jammu and Kashmir should not be subjected to differential treatment compared to citizens in other parts of the country.
The senior NC leader further elaborated that duly elected governments at the state level must be afforded adequate constitutional autonomy and the necessary authority to effectively carry out their responsibilities towards the populace. He urged the central government to honor its commitments and expedite the process of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without further delay. Gupta appealed to the Centre to transcend partisan politics and actively contribute to strengthening the federal structure of the nation by ensuring equitable treatment for all democratically elected governments across India. He concluded by stating that the Centre cannot selectively acknowledge democratic mandates and that Jammu and Kashmir is deserving of dignity, democracy, statehood, and complete constitutional empowerment.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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