SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Wednesday reviewed and finalized preparations for its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, reiterating that the demonstration will focus on the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
A meeting of senior party leaders, chaired by NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah at his Gupkar residence in Srinagar, resolved to extend invitations to all constituent parties of the INDIA bloc, as well as other political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, to participate in the protest.
The party also decided to invite political parties that are not part of the INDIA alliance but are also not aligned with the NDA, in an effort to build broader political support for the demand for statehood.
As part of the outreach, formal invitation letters will be sent to all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Farooq Abdullah will personally write to the respective party leaders, inviting them to join the protest.
The proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar is scheduled to coincide with the opening day of Parliament’s upcoming Monsoon Session.
The decision follows a day-long off-site meeting of National Conference legislators, Members of Parliament, alliance partners and Independent legislators supporting the government, held at Dachigam National Park last month. The nearly seven-hour meeting culminated in the party announcing its plan to stage a protest in the national capital, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees.
Following that meeting, NC Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq had said the party believed “the time has come” to take the demand directly to New Delhi.
“The National Conference legislature party will go to New Delhi on the first day of the Monsoon Session and hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, or another finalized venue, to demand restoration of statehood and constitutional rights,” Sadiq had said.
