Former Union minister and senior statesman Karan Singh on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir should regain its statehood, asserting that the Centre has already made a commitment to restore it.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Singh said the erstwhile state, which was reorganised into two Union Territories in 2019, deserved to have its previous status restored.
"I think it should be done. The government has also said that it will restore statehood," he said when asked about the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
Singh said Jammu and Kashmir was once among the country's largest states and should not have to seek what rightfully belonged to it.
Referring to interfaith harmony, Singh stressed the need for dialogue among followers of different religions, saying it was essential for preserving India's unity and diversity.
"The purpose of interfaith dialogue is that people of different religions sit together and try to understand each other," he said, adding that such efforts were particularly important in Kashmir.
He said his daughter had earlier run a centre dedicated to promoting the ideals of Dara Shikoh in Srinagar and expressed hope that a similar centre could be established again with public support.
Singh also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain harmony and strengthen relations across the region.
"I would like to tell the people of Kashmir to maintain good relations so that our state can progress and continue to represent the spirit of India," he said.
He said communal harmony and mutual understanding were essential for the country's future and urged people to work together to preserve them.
