SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) has directed all its MLAs and MPs to reach New Delhi by July 19 to participate in a major statehood restoration protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The demonstration, announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, will coincide with the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, marking a significant escalation in the party’s campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.According to party instructions, all legislators have been asked to ensure their presence in the national capital without waiting for further communication or formal permission from the leadership. The NC leadership views the protest as a decisive step after nearly two years of engaging with the Centre over the demand for statehood.Speaking recently at Hazratbal, Omar Abdullah said the National Conference had consistently pursued the issue through dialogue but had now decided to adopt a peaceful and democratic protest after the Centre failed to fulfil its commitment to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.To strengthen the campaign, NC President Farooq Abdullah has invited 52 prominent political leaders from across the country to join the protest. The invitees include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Asaduddin Owaisi, Mehbooba Mufti, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sajad Gani Lone, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Altaf Bukhari, and several other senior opposition leaders.Party sources said the Jantar Mantar protest is expected to witness the participation of senior NC leaders, legislators, MPs, party workers and invited national leaders, all demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which the Centre had earlier promised.The planned protest has also sparked political debate. CPI(M) has extended its support to the demonstration, while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged the NC to expand its agenda by seeking the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and demanding the release of political prisoners.Meanwhile, NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has announced that he will not participate in the protest, stating that the people’s mandate was primarily for the restoration of Article 370, not statehood alone.Omar Abdullah has also alleged that Delhi authorities are delaying permission for the protest, accusing them of attempting to obstruct the programme. The BJP, however, has dismissed the planned demonstration, calling it a political diversion aimed at shifting focus from the performance of the NC-led Jammu and Kashmir government.
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