J&K would get statehood, won't remain a UT forever: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir would not remain a Union Territory for forever and will get back its statehood status when the situation is favorable.

"Jammu and Kashmir would not remain a Union Territory forever and that the statehood would be returned once the situation is normalised," ministry of home affairs (MHA) said in an official statement quoting Shah.

The home minister also said that the notion that only Article 370 protected the Kashmiri culture and identity was a wrong one.


He asserted that all regional identities are inherently protected by the Indian Constitution and called the misuse of Article 370 the root cause of cross-border terrorism.

Shah made these remarks while speaking at a function where he met and interacted with the probationers of the 2018 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS).

The home minister touched on all aspects and issues including National Register of Citizens (NRC) and abrogation of Article 370.

While interacting with the officers, Shah also discussed the NRC.

Speaking on the need for a National Register of Citizens, he asserted that NRC was essential not just for national security but for good governance as well. He remarked that the NRC must not be seen as a political exercise, as it is very important to have a national citizen register in order to ensure that benefits of development reach all our citizens.