Srinagar, Oct 8 : Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is not a demand but a constitutional right of its people and even BJP leader Sunil Sharma should remember that the promise was made in Parliament.
Speaking at a White Coat Ceremony in Government Medical College (GMC), she began by congratulating the newly admitted first-year MBBS students and highlighting the increase in medical seats to around 190. “It’s a proud moment for us that more students are joining the medical field. The white coat is not just a uniform, it is a symbol of service and responsibility,” she said as per KNS.
She reminded the students of the importance of empathy in the medical profession. “When a doctor wears a white coat, he takes on a huge responsibility. After Allah, a patient’s biggest trust is in his doctor. Doctors must treat their patients gently and with respect,” she added.
Turning to political issues, Sakina Itoo said, “We are not begging for statehood. Statehood is the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and that right must be returned.”
Referring to BJP leader Sunil Sharma, she said, “He should remember the time when the Hon’ble Home Minister stood in Parliament and promised that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be restored very soon. If the BJP now claims that normalcy has returned and development has taken place, then there is no reason to delay it.”
She further added that even the people of Jammu, through their votes, have shown support for the return of statehood. “If they truly believe they have achieved peace and progress here, then restoring statehood should be the next step,” the minister said.
Sakina Itoo said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to demand their constitutional rights peacefully and with determination, saying, “Statehood is our right not a favour.”(KNS)
