Srinagar, Jan 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Sunday reaffirmed the demand for special status, emphasizing that it is a legitimate right.
Choudhary said this in response to a question from the media regarding National Conference President Farooq Abdullah's remark that Article 370 was meant only for Jammu Dogras .
Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to fallen soldiers at the Balidan Stambh in Srinagar, Choudhary said, "Today, a political government is unfurling the tricolour after six years on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations here, which is a great honour for us."
The Deputy Chief Minister later unfurled the tricolour at Bakshi Stadium and reviewed the parade during the Republic Day function on Sunday.
Addressing the issue of special status, he remarked, "As far as the special status is concerned, there are many states in India where this special status has been granted."
“Jammu and Kashmir where the special status was given by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, becomes our right and we would get it back from the same constitution of which the day we are celebrating today”.
Choudhary said the Jammu and Kashmir government run by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has categorically made it clear by passing the resolution of special status in the very first meeting in the state Assembly.
“I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir, India and all those Indians who are living in the world celebrating the occasion”, he said.
“Today is a happy day and we are paying tributes to those martyrs especially to the Baba Sahab Bhimrao Ambedkar who was the creator of the constitution which has provided us an opportunity to raise our issues”, he added.
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