JK News Today
Member Parliament, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan participated in the All-Party Floor Leaders’ Meeting convened ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, convened by the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju. The meeting was presided by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, and also present in the meeting were Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shri L. Murugan, along with all floor leaders and representatives of major political parties from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. From Jammu & Kashmir, Members of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan was present.
Addressing the meeting, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan described the decision of 5 August 2019 as a black day in the history of Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that the decision was taken unilaterally and deprived the people of Jammu & Kashmir of their constitutional rights, identity and statehood by downgrading the erstwhile State into a Union Territory.
He said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir had delivered a clear verdict in the 2024 Assembly elections by rejecting the policies associated with the decisions of 5 August 2019. According to him, the democratic mandate reflected the people’s aspiration for the restoration of their rights and full statehood.
Raising the issue of statehood, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan reminded the meeting that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, on several occasions, and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister on the floor of Parliament had publicly assured the people of Jammu & Kashmir that full statehood would be restored. He also referred to the observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which called for the restoration of statehood at the earliest after delimitation and elections.
Questioning the continued delay, he said that nearly two years had passed since the formation of an elected government in Jammu & Kashmir, yet the promise of restoring statehood remained unfulfilled. He urged the Government of India to honour its commitment without any further delay instead of repeatedly stating that it would be done at an “appropriate time.”
Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan further stated that although Jammu & Kashmir now has a democratically elected government with a strong public mandate, several key powers continue to remain with the Lieutenant Governor. He stressed that the elected government should be fully empowered to function in accordance with the mandate given by the people. He demanded the immediate restoration of full statehood, constitutional rights and restoration of state subject laws.
He also raised humanitarian concerns regarding prisoners from Jammu & Kashmir lodged in jails outside the Union Territory. He urged that prisoners facing serious charges, who are presently lodged in jails outside the Union Territory, be transferred back to the Valley. Such a transfer would ensure timely access to legal counsel,court proceedings and would also enable their families to access them without the burden of long-distance travel and heavy financial expenses, while fully upholding the rule of law and due process. He appealed for a compassionate review of cases involving individuals accused of minor offences, noting that despite earlier assurances of a review policy, no tangible progress has been made.
He also raised the issue of the safety and security of Kashmiris living outside Jammu & Kashmir. Chowdry Ramzan said that whenever any untoward incident takes place anywhere in the country, Kashmiris are often the first to become targets of harassment and intimidation, whether they are students, labourers, traders, businessmen or working professionals. He stated that this concern has been repeatedly raised before the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, on the floor of Parliament and at various other forums. He urged the Central Government to take the matter with the utmost seriousness and ensure the safety, dignity and protection of every Kashmiri residing in different parts of the country.
Referring to the forthcoming protest to be organised by the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference in New Delhi for the restoration of statehood, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan appealed and invitated all opposition parties on behalf of National Conference and Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah, to participate in the programme in solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said the protest would serve as a democratic reminder to the Central Government to fulfil its commitments and restore the statehood and constitutional rights that were taken away from the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
