Srinagar, Oct. 12 -- Union Minister of State Ramdas Bandu Athawale on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir could get its statehood back soon, but added that the final call on the timing would be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Citing the Centre's earlier assurance in Parliament, Athawale said the government is committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate time. He, however, refused to commit to a timeline, saying he was not in a position to announce a date.

On the continuing protests over deletions from electoral rolls, the minister said those whose names have been removed by mistake could apply for restoration. Acknowledging the democratic right to protest, he said repeated agitations on the same ...