# J&K Deputy CM hopes for statehood by next Independence Day 2026-08-15T13:30:55+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Saturday that he hoped the Union Territory would regain full statehood by Independence Day next year. Speaking after unfurling the national flag at Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium, he called restoration of statehood a clear demand of the people and said it was a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Choudhary said people had grown tired of the Union Territory arrangement. He also cited government efforts to expand industries, jobs, education, medical opportunities and infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sanitation and agriculture. He urged citizens to work for peace, unity and development while preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s culture and heritage. ## Coverage - greaterkashmir.com Tags: Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir, Maulana Azad Stadium, Narendra Modi, Surinder Choudhary Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/jk-deputy-cm-hopes-for-statehood-by-next-independence-day/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/jk-deputy-cm-hopes-for-statehood-by-next-independence-day/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.