SRINAGAR: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir by bringing a bill in the monsoon session of Parliament.They also urged the Centre to grant constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule to the Union territory of Ladakh to “address the cultural, developmental, and political aspirations of the people of Ladakh, while safeguarding their rights, land, and identity”.J&K CM Omar Abdullah welcomed the development. “We had been waiting for the day when the opposition would raise our voice in Parliament,” he said.Abdullah said the restoration of statehood is not an unusual demand, reminding that the Centre has repeatedly promised, inside and outside Parliament, in Supreme Court, and at public platforms, to restore J&K’s statehood “at an appropriate time.”However, PDP functionary and former minister Naeem Akhtar opined that there is not much reason for optimism, given the sharp divide between the Centre and the opposition on every issue. But he added, “The return of statehood would bring some relief.”National conference chief Farooq Abdullah said he would react only after the government introduces such a bill in Parliament.Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan also welcomed the Congress move. He told TOI that jobs are a major concern in Ladakh. “But more than that we want the restoration of democracy, and safeguards for our culture and identity. We want them to be protected,” he said.