Satish Sharma, Rattan Lal Gupta reaffirms statehood demand, calls it constitutional imperative on Ambedkar Jayanti

• Lead party functionaries in offering rich tributes to Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 135 Jayanti

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President (Jammu), Rattan Lal Gupta, on Monday forcefully reiterated the party’s demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the issue is intrinsically linked to the constitutional ethos of cooperative federalism as envisioned by B. R. Ambedkar.

He was addressing a commemorative function held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Jammu, to mark the 135th birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar, observed nationwide as Ambedkar Jayanti. The event was chaired by SC Cell Chairman Vijay Lochan, with Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma as the Chief Guest.

In his address, Gupta underscored that Ambedkar’s conception of federalism was not merely an administrative arrangement but a normative framework aimed at safeguarding participatory governance, social justice, and institutional equity. He argued that the continued denial of full-fledged statehood to Jammu and Kashmir represents a deviation from this constitutional compact.“The restoration of statehood is not a political concession but a democratic imperative rooted in constitutional morality. Upholding the federal balance is the most meaningful tribute to Babasaheb,” he asserted, calling for a recalibration of Centre–State relations in line with constitutional guarantees.

Paying rich tributes, Gupta further highlighted that the vision of Sheikh Abdullah was deeply consonant with Ambedkar’s ideals of social transformation, inclusive governance, and distributive justice. He credited successive National Conference governments for pioneering pro-poor reforms, including landmark land redistribution measures that significantly advanced the socio-economic conditions of marginalized communities.

Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma, in his remarks, emphasized that the governance model under Omar Abdullah is anchored in welfare-oriented policymaking and social equity. He described Ambedkar as a transformative statesman a jurist, economist, and social reformer whose enduring legacy continues to shape India’s democratic and constitutional trajectory.

“Dr. Ambedkar’s life epitomizes resilience, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to dismantling structural inequities. His vision remains central to our pursuit of an inclusive, just, and progressive society,” Sharma said.

Others who paid rich tributes were: Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary Jammu, Babu Rampal former minister and Central Zone President, Abdul Gani Malik former minister and Zonal President Udhampur Reasi Zone, Qazi Jalal Ud Din former MLA, Bushan Lal Bhat former MLC, Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell, S. Tejinder Pal Singh Provincial President YNC Jammu, Laxmi Datta Senior leader, Dr. Shamshad Shan former DDC Chairperson, Rakesh Singh Raka, Rita Gupta, Rahul Mahajan, Rajinder Chandel, Amirsh Sharma Vice President's Central Zone, Rajni Devi Working President Women Wing Jammu, Nar  Singh President Labour Wing, Shadab  Suharwardhy District President Doda Urban, Ramesh Kumar District President SC Cell, Nadeem Choudhary District President Jammu Urban ST Cell, Mehmood Ahmad Rizvi Advocate District President Jammu Rural “A” ST Cell, Haji Amir Ud Din Khasana, Satpal, B.D Dalotra Central Zone Secretaries, Dharminder Block President Jammu West, Ch. Rafiq Block President Chilly, Devi Dyal Jogi Block Secretary Khour, Ashok Dogra former corporator, Vikas Choudhary District President Jammu Rural “A” YNC, Jatin Bhat, Satpal Block President Ramgarh, Lal Chand, Master Baldev, Naved Raja, Manohar Lal  Joint Secretaries Central Zone.