J&K will be given statehood at an appropriate time, says Amit Shah

Amit Shah said in the Lower House of Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir will be given its statehood when the time will be appropriate.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday during a discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha that J&K will be given statehood "at an appropriate time." It was claimed that if the 2019 bill is amended which splits the former state into two union territories after Article 370 was withdrawn, it means that the centre had no intention of restoring its statehood. To this Mr Shah said, "Many MPs said bringing the amendment means J&K won't get statehood. I am piloting the bill, I brought it. I have clarified the intentions. Nowhere is it written that Jammu and Kashmir won't get statehood. Where are you drawing this conclusion from?"

"I have said in this House and I say it again - this bill has got nothing to do with the statehood of Jammu & Kashmir. Statehood will be given... at an appropriate time," he added. Mr Shah also hit out at the Congress and said that their party was being asked about the promises they made earlier but did the previous government give any account of their work who ruled for 70 years.

"We were asked what we did about promises made during abrogation of Article 370. It has been 17 months since... and you are demanding an account? Did you bring the account of what you did for 70 years? Had you worked properly... you need not have asked us," Mr Shah said in the Lower House. "I will give an account for everything. But those who were given the opportunity to govern for generations should look within if they are even fit to demand an account," he added. The bill was later passed in the Lower House of Parliament.