People Need Statehood With Dignity, Not Political Drama: Hakeem Yaseen
NC, BJP Playing With People’s Emotions Over Statehood, Says PDF President
03/09/2026
Srinagar, September 03 (KIP)- Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Thursday accused the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing with the emotions of the people by creating “unnecessary drama” around the issue of restoration of statehood.
Yaseen said the people of Jammu and Kashmir want statehood with dignity, constitutional guarantees and respect, and not as a political slogan or electoral tool.
“People need statehood with dignity. They do not need political parties to repeatedly exploit their emotions in the name of statehood. The people have been hearing such promises and political rhetoric for decades,” Yaseen said.
He said that while restoration of statehood remains an important aspiration of the people, it should not be used to divert attention from issues that directly affect their daily lives.
“Unemployment should be the first priority. Our educated youth are desperately looking for jobs and opportunities. Instead of engaging in political blame games, the government and political parties should come forward with a concrete employment policy,” he said.
Yaseen called for immediate steps to fill vacant government posts and promote employment in the private sector, tourism, agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, small industries and entrepreneurship.
He said the government must also focus on improving healthcare, education, roads, electricity, drinking water and other essential public services.
“The youth want jobs, students want quality education, patients want better healthcare, farmers and fruit growers want remunerative markets, and traders want a conducive business environment. These concerns cannot be ignored in the name of political theatrics,” he said.
Yaseen said all political parties should rise above narrow political interests and work towards restoring public confidence through transparent governance, accountability and development.
He maintained that statehood should ultimately empower the people and restore their sense of dignity, participation and constitutional confidence.
“Jammu and Kashmir needs statehood with dignity, democracy with accountability and development with justice. The people should not be treated merely as a vote bank or an audience for political slogans,” Yaseen said