Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Tuesday that a decision on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be taken “very soon.” He made this statement while speaking to reporters in Srinagar, where he attended an official event.

Meghwal was present at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar to lead a regional workshop related to the Tele-Law (DISHA) scheme. The workshop focused on providing legal support to citizens through technology-based services. However, Meghwal’s comments about Jammu and Kashmir’s political status became the main point of attention.

While addressing questions from the media, Meghwal said that the process of restoring statehood is “very sensitive.” He added that even though the issue is complicated, the central government is committed to completing the process. He reassured that the Centre is aware of the expectations of the people and is moving ahead carefully.

The Union minister also reminded reporters that Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier given assurances in the Lok Sabha regarding statehood. Meghwal said Shah had clearly stated that the process would be followed properly and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would receive “what is due to them.” This statement was seen as another signal from the Centre that statehood restoration remains on the government’s agenda.

The question of statehood has remained an important political topic in Jammu and Kashmir ever since the region was reorganised into a Union Territory. Many political parties and local leaders have repeatedly demanded that the region should once again be granted full statehood. The issue has also been linked to the region’s democratic process and the expectations of its citizens.

During the same event, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present and responded to Meghwal’s statement. Abdullah said that he was hopeful that the decision would finally come soon. However, he also expressed concern that the process has taken longer than expected.

Omar Abdullah pointed out that it has been around one and a half years since the promise of statehood restoration was being discussed, and yet no final step has been taken. He said his government has been in regular contact with the central government and has continued discussions on the issue. Still, he admitted that the delay has created frustration among many people.

Abdullah’s comments reflected the mood of many political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir who believe that the return of statehood is important for strengthening governance and giving people a stronger role in decision-making. He added that the people have been waiting patiently and that they deserve clarity on when the process will be completed.

Even though Meghwal did not provide any specific timeline or date, his words created fresh hope that an official decision may be announced soon. His statement also suggested that the central government is aware of the importance of the issue and is handling it with caution.

The event itself was focused on legal services under the Tele-Law (DISHA) programme, which aims to provide easy access to legal advice, especially for those who cannot afford expensive legal help. The programme uses technology to connect citizens with legal experts and improve awareness of legal rights.

However, the larger political discussion about Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood dominated the attention, as it remains one of the most important unresolved matters in the region.