Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, and Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, penned a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, pressing for legislation in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, starting July 21, to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The leaders emphasized that the demand for Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, stripped after the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, is a “legitimate” and “constitutional” right of its people, noting the unprecedented downgrade of a state to a Union Territory. They cited Modi’s public assurances, including his May 19, 2024, Bhubaneswar interview and September 19, 2024, Srinagar rally, where he pledged to restore statehood, alongside similar commitments made before the Supreme Court during Article 370 hearings.
Kharge and Gandhi also called for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to protect its cultural, developmental, and political identity, safeguarding land and tribal rights. “This would be a significant step towards addressing the aspirations of the people of Ladakh,” they wrote. The demand echoes concerns raised by Ladakh’s residents and leaders, including the Leh Apex Body, over inadequate autonomy under the current Union Territory framework.
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The letter comes amid heightened political tension following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. Congress has previously demanded special Parliament sessions to discuss these issues, expressing frustration over Modi’s absence from all-party meetings. With the National Conference and local leaders like Omar Abdullah also pushing for statehood, the Congress aims to corner the BJP-led government in the upcoming session.
Social media posts on X reflect strong public sentiment, with users urging swift action on statehood to restore democratic rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition’s push sets the stage for a contentious Monsoon Session, with debates expected over security, governance, and federal rights.
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