Fully support Centre's move on J&K: Karan Singh's son

After veteran Congress leader Karan Singh on Thursday said there were "several positives" in the government decision on Jammu and Kashmir, his son Vikramaditya Singh fully backed the integration of J&K into the Indian Union.

In a statement, Vikramaditya Singh, a former Member of the Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir, termed the government step to revoke Article 370 and divide the state into two union territories as "a step I fully support".

He said with this step, women and the minority communities of the state would enjoy equal status under the Indian Constitution, and added that he looked forward to a new J&K with greater business and industrial development and employment opportunities.

Vikramaditya Singh released a statement that said: "This is the beginning of a new era for all of us in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The full integration of J&K into the Union of India and its reorganisation, is indeed a step that I fully support.

"Now, women and minority communities in J&K will enjoy equal rights under the Constitution of India.

"Us citizens of Jammu and Kashmir must now co-exist as equal partners and use this change as an opportunity to create a better future for the coming generations.

"I look forward toward a new J&K with a progressive and peaceful environment, with greater business and industrial development, private sector investment and greater employment opportunities for our youth.

"I would eventually hope to see a full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

"I also endorse the views expressed by my father Dr Karan Singh in his statement made earlier today," he said.

( With inputs from IANS )