National Conference demonstrated in Delhi demanding restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. MLA Hasnain Masoodi said that the central government had made promises in the Parliament and the Supreme Court, but this delay is causing loss to the country.
New Delhi [भारत]July 20 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leader and MLA Hasnain Masoodi led a protest in the national capital on Monday, pressing the Center to fulfill its long-standing promise of restoring statehood to the region.
Speaking to ANI, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference MLA Hasnain Masoodi stressed that the continued delay in restoring statehood is harming the national interest, and said the reason for the protest is the current uncertainty.
He said, “The promise of restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir was made on the floor of Parliament, before the Supreme Court. Yet, there has been no action for one and a half years. We kept patience for a year. We are here to address this issue and the existing uncertainty; such uncertainty is neither in the interest of the nation nor its people. That is the reason for our coming here and protesting…”
Attempt to remind the Center of its promise
On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said the National Conference protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20 is aimed at reminding the Center of its promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to ANI, Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy CM said, “…during the 2024 elections, both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister had assured the people of J&K that statehood would be restored once the elections are over. Yet, twenty-one months have passed; we have been very patient and waited, hoping that the PM and the Home Minister will fulfill the promise made to the people of J&K.”
He further said, “During the meeting of party MLAs, it was decided to gather at Jantar Mantar on the 20th. We want to remind the Prime Minister and the Home Minister that the time has come to honor their commitment to restore statehood after the elections.”
Demand continues after removal of Article 370
On July 20, the National Conference called for a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Party chief Farooq Abdullah invited leaders of various parties to join the protest.
Earlier, on July 10, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that the National Conference had not received permission for the July 20 protest demanding restoration of full statehood for the Union Territory. He alleged that the National Conference was intent on “disrupting” the protests.
Full statehood has been part of the NC’s long-standing demand since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. National Conference has invited 52 leaders from different parties to protest at Jantar Mantar.
After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the Center formed two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. In 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the move to abrogate Article 370, while not considering the question of restoration of statehood, as the Center had submitted that it would be restored in due course. (ANI)
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