Aaqib Khan
JAMMU, FEB 4 (KNS) ; Jammu and Kashmir legislator Irfan Hafiz Lone on Wednesday accused the centre government of waging a “battle of tyranny” and “oppression” against the people of the Union Territory, alleging that the constitutional rights of the region were “brazenly snatched” during the 2019 reorganisation.
Speaking in the legislative assembly during budget session, the MLA from Wagoora-Kreeri constituency as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said the people of J&K have become the “worst victims” of a “politics of hatred”.
“You can see how a historical state was made a UT. Whatever rights we had, how they were snatched, how they were violated brazenly,” Lone said.
Citing constitutional provisions, he claimed the process was flawed. He pointed to Article 3 of the Constitution, which mandates consultation with the concerned state legislature for territorial changes.
MLA Lone highlighted what he called unfulfilled commitments on statehood, recalling a previous Governor’s address that stated the government was “actively engaging with all stakeholders” on the matter.
He also referred to a Supreme Court order from October 2025, which noted that the Jammu and Kashmir UT cabinet had passed a resolution in October 2024 formally requesting the Centre to restore statehood.
MLA Lone declared, “This is a battle of tyranny, of oppression, of injustice, of dictatorship.”
He further claimed there was an “attack on the constitution” and “Gandhi ji’s ideology.”
Beyond the political discourse, the MLA highlighted severe distress in key economic sectors like horticulture and tourism. He also raised concerns over the detention of a fellow legislator under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
MLA Lone listed development deficits in his constituency, pointing to inadequate infrastructure and health facilities. (KNS)