Sajjad Shaheen Demands Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir Statehood

National Conference MLA Sajjad Shaheen criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party on August 5, marking the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. Shaheen argued that the constitutional change failed to eliminate militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a deadly terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, as well as recent killings in Kulgam and Anantnag.

Shaheen demanded that the Government of India honor promises made in Parliament and via a Supreme Court affidavit to restore the region's statehood. He alleged that the revocation of Article 370 was intended to disempower the local population.

Despite these security concerns, Shaheen acknowledged economic growth within the Union Territory. Data from a Comptroller and Auditor General report for 2024-25 showed the Gross State Domestic Product increased from Rs 1.68 lakh crore in 2020-21 to Rs 2.62 lakh crore in 2024-25.