Urgent Call to Action: Ex-MP Demands Justice and Statehood for Delhi – It’s Time to Stand United!
The pursuit of Statehood for Puducherry continues to be a contentious issue, with former Member of Parliament M. Ramadass expressing concerns over the current legislative strategies. Ramadass, who is the founder-president of the Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (PMMMK), has emphasized that merely passing Assembly resolutions without substantial action to engage the central government in Delhi will not advance Puducherry’s Statehood ambitions. Speaking in a recent statement, Ramadass urged for more direct and strategic efforts to advocate for this long-held aspiration.
He pointed out that the repeated passage of resolutions, including the recent 16th attempt, had failed to prompt a response from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, thereby undermining the authority of the legislature. According to Ramadass, if the Puducherry government is genuinely committed to achieving Statehood, the Chief Minister should spearhead a delegation—comprising legislators and party leaders—to present their case before the Prime Minister and Home Minister in New Delhi.
Ramadass further criticized any attempt by the Chief Minister to raise the Statehood issue as a mere distraction from governmental challenges, labeling such actions as hypocritical unless they are part of a genuine effort backed by thorough research. He questioned whether there has been any preparatory work, such as a feasibility study or the drafting of a detailed proposal, to support their pursuit of Statehood.
The demand for Statehood, Ramadass clarified, should transcend mere political power plays and aim to provide greater economic, social, and political autonomy to the people of Puducherry. He argued that establishing a full-fledged democracy through Statehood would free Puducherry from reliance on the central government, enhancing self-governance and development prospects.
He referenced the proactive efforts of Ladakh, a Union Territory whose citizens have successfully garnered attention by organizing public demonstrations to assert their demand for Statehood, thereby prompting negotiations with the central government. This example underscores the necessity of committed activism and engagement for political change.
To advance the Statehood cause, Ramadass advocated for the formation of an expert committee to develop a comprehensive feasibility report. He suggested that this report be formally presented to senior officials in Delhi, supported by a bipartisan effort to garner backing from all political parties in Parliament. By enlisting widespread political support, he believes that Puducherry could strengthen its case for Statehood on a national platform.
This push for Statehood thus hinges on effective political strategies and sincere advocacy, which Ramadass sees as critical to overcoming the current state of inertia. As the debate continues, the need for genuine commitment and collaborative efforts remains at the forefront of Puducherry’s quest for greater autonomy and recognition as a full-fledged state in India.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/put-pressure-on-delhi-to-grant-statehood-to-ut-says-ex-mp/article69393496.ece
Category : Puducherry
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Publish Date: 2025-03-30 22:05:00
