Abdul Rahim Rather Calls for Early Restoration of J&K Statehood at All India Speakers’ Conference
NEW DELHI: Speaker of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, today reiterated the demand for early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that robust democratic institutions are essential to fulfilling the aspirations of its people.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the All India Speakers’ Conference in New Delhi, Rather recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance on the matter, stating, “The Prime Minister himself has assured that Jammu and Kashmir will be granted statehood very soon.” He added that restoring statehood would further strengthen the people’s faith in democracy.
Addressing the conference on the theme “India – The Mother of Democracy,” the J&K Speaker highlighted India’s ancient democratic traditions, its civilizational ethos of dialogue and pluralism, and its extraordinary journey as the world’s largest democracy.
“Democracy in India is not borrowed—it is rooted in our civilizational values,” he said, citing references from the Rig Veda and Upanishads to emphasize that collective decision-making and public participation were practiced in India thousands of years before the modern world adopted these values.
He noted that India’s adoption of universal adult franchise in 1950, despite poverty, illiteracy, and vast diversity, was a bold and unprecedented choice that reflected the true spirit of democracy. “That is the soul of our democracy,” he remarked.
Underscoring India’s diversity as a source of strength, Rather observed: “With over 900 million voters, thousands of political parties, and multiple languages, religions, and ideologies, India today stands as a beacon of democracy, diversity, and resilience.”
While acknowledging existing challenges, he called for collective responsibility to ensure equal opportunities, education, healthcare, and justice for all citizens. “Being the mother of democracy is not just a title—it is a responsibility,” he said, urging legislators to safeguard freedom of speech, voting rights, and equality as fundamental duties.
Calling for a renewed commitment from lawmakers, he asserted: “As custodians of legislative forums, we must not only preserve democracy but also elevate it. Let this conference be a movement for democratic renewal.”
He concluded by affirming that democracy was India’s gift to the world: “India did not borrow democracy—India gave it to the world, a gift from our ancestors, polished by time and protected by generations. Let us honour this legacy by living its values every day.”
The conference was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, along with the Lt. Governor and Chief Minister of Delhi, besides Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and Secretaries of State and UT Assemblies. The J&K Speaker was accompanied by Assembly Secretary Manoj Pandita.
