New Delhi: In his maiden address to the Rajya Sabha, newly elected member Sajjad Kichloo on Monday urged the Central Government to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir “at the earliest,” asserting that the aspirations of the people must be honoured without further delay.
Kichloo said the restoration of statehood was not merely a political demand but a crucial step toward rebuilding trust and empowering the people of the region. He reminded the House of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s guiding principles of “Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat, Kashmiriyat,” and appealed to the government to realign its policies with this vision.
“Jammu & Kashmir has endured significant challenges in recent years. The people look toward New Delhi with hope—hope that their dignity, identity, and democratic rights will be fully restored,” Kichloo said.
He stressed that fulfilling Vajpayee’s vision would pave the way for lasting peace, development, and reconciliation in the region. Kichloo’s remarks were met with attentive silence in the Upper House, underscoring the political weight of the issue.
