SRINAGAR: The National Conference party plans to proceed with its scheduled protest in New Delhi on July 20, aiming to press for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. While the specific venue and method of the demonstration may undergo changes, the party’s commitment to raising its demands in the national capital remains firm, according to party leadership.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the party intends to hold a ‘Delhi Chalo’ sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. This event is timed to coincide with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The protest aims to highlight the party’s long-standing demand for the immediate reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status as a full state.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also a senior leader of the National Conference, reiterated the party’s resolve. He stated that the programme would not be conducted in secrecy. “The venue and the manner may change, but the plan to go to Delhi will not. We will not carry out this programme secretly in some corner. We will go to Delhi and raise our voice there,” Abdullah was quoted as saying.
When questioned about whether the announcement of other political programmes preceding the proposed protest could be construed as an attempt to sabotage or divert attention, the Chief Minister declined to offer a direct comment. He indicated a reluctance to engage in speculation regarding internal party strategies or political maneuvering.
Abdullah further emphasized the party’s determination, stating, “I will not get into whether it is sabotage or a diversion.” He asserted that regardless of external circumstances or potential challenges, the National Conference would move forward with its planned demonstration. “If we wanted to hold the programme secretly, we could have done it in the courtyard of our own home. We will go to Delhi and one way or the other, raise our voice there. After that, we will decide the future course of action,” he added.
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ initiative is a significant undertaking for the National Conference, reflecting a broader political sentiment within the region concerning its administrative and constitutional status. The party’s decision to stage a protest at a prominent location in New Delhi underscores its strategy to garner national attention and exert pressure on the central government regarding the issue of statehood restoration. The timing of the protest, coinciding with a crucial parliamentary session, is intended to maximize its impact and ensure that the demands of Jammu and Kashmir are prominently discussed.
The Chenab Times News Desk