‘It’s an insult’: Tarigami on UT Day celebrations

Srinagar, Oct 30: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami rejected the Jammu and Kashmir ‘UT Foundation Day’ event scheduled for Thursday at SKICC in Srinagar, saying that even the Prime Minister of India and the Election Commission referred to it as a temporary status.
“Celebrating Union Territory Day at this time is an insult,” he said.
Speaking to KNS, he said the UT celebration is not appropriate. He said the Prime Minister and the government have promised that statehood in Jammu and Kashmir will be restored soon and that the region holds temporary UT status.
The CPI(M) leader also referenced the Supreme Court’s decision on Article 370, which indicated that Jammu and Kashmir has temporary Union Territory status.
Recently, the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet passed a resolution for the restoration of statehood, which was submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Tarigami argued that there is no basis for celebrating UT Day. He urged the central government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying this step is essential for the region’s political stability and development.
“The temporary status of the Union Territory should not be a reason for celebrations, as the focus should instead be on addressing the aspirations of the people and fulfilling the promises made by the government regarding statehood,” he said.