JAMMU, Jun 3: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Jammu & Kashmir unit president Manish Sahni has welcomed the letter written by PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to various political parties, describing it as a positive step towards meaningful dialogue on the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s rights and statehood.
In a statement issued to the press, Sahni said that the question of restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s identity, constitutional rights, and full statehood is not the concern of any single political party or ideology, but is intrinsically linked to the aspirations, sentiments, and future of the people of the region. Therefore, Shiv Sena (UBT) will support every positive initiative taken in the larger public interest.
Sahni stated that following the developments of August 5, 2019, Jammu & Kashmir lost its statehood and was reorganized into a Union Territory. Since then, the people have been awaiting the restoration of their full democratic rights and constitutional status. The demand for statehood is a shared aspiration of the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and all other regions and should not be confined within the boundaries of partisan politics.
He said that Shiv Sena (UBT) will firmly stand with every platform, movement, and initiative that works towards protecting the rights of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, safeguarding employment opportunities for local youth, securing land and natural resources, protecting business interests, and preserving the region’s unique identity. Public welfare remains the guiding principle of the party’s politics.
Sahni emphasized that the demand for the restoration of statehood should not be viewed through the prism of political alliances or electoral calculations. It is fundamentally an issue concerning the rights, dignity, and future of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Unfortunately, even on such an important public issue, several political parties remain engaged in blame games instead of working towards a common objective.
Drawing a comparison with Ladakh, Sahni noted that various political, social, and religious organizations there have risen above their differences to collectively fight for land rights, employment safeguards, constitutional protections, and regional interests. If such unity is possible in Ladakh, he said, political parties in Jammu & Kashmir should also rise above narrow political considerations and build a common platform in the larger interest of the people.
He further stated that this is not the fight of any one party but a struggle linked to the identity, rights, dignity, and future generations of Jammu & Kashmir. The need of the hour is for all political parties to set aside their differences and speak in one voice for the restoration of statehood and the protection of the people’s rights. Shiv Sena (UBT) will continue to support every sincere and positive effort in this direction.
Manish Sahni called upon both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Conference to clearly state their position on the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s rights and full statehood.
He said that the time has come for both major political parties to inform the people about their commitment towards the restoration of statehood, the complete revival of democratic rights, and the protection of Jammu & Kashmir’s interests.
Sahni urged the BJP and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to rise above political differences and take the lead in this public-interest campaign if they are genuinely committed to the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s rights and statehood. He said that this is not an issue of any party, leader, or electoral agenda, but a question concerning the identity, dignity, rights, and future of Jammu & Kashmir and its people. On this occasion Aditya Mahajan, Raghubir Kumar were present.