Farooq, Karra, Mir demand restoration of Statehood
New Delhi, July 20: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Monday staged a protest in the national capital, reiterating its demand for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was led by National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was joined by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra and AICC General Secretary and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Ghulam Ahmad (G.A.) Mir. The leaders addressed the media and urged the Centre to fulfil its commitment to restore statehood without further delay.
“Today, we are fighting for full statehood, which is a promise made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister in Parliament, before the Supreme Court, and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are here today simply to remind them of that commitment and to demand the restoration of complete statehood,” he said.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah also referred to the ongoing protest by Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters, saying, “These children are the future of India. They are demanding their rights, and we stand with them. The Government of India should pay attention to their concerns. At the same time, it should also address the issues of Ladakh. Sonam Wangchuk should be released from the hospital.”
According to party leaders, only Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Tariq Hameed Karra and G.A. Mir were allowed to reach Jantar Mantar, while several other party functionaries were stopped.
The leaders maintained that the protest was peaceful and intended to press for the restoration of full statehood, stressing that the demand reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstration comes amid renewed political pressure on the Centre to fulfil its assurance of restoring statehood following the August 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (KINS)
