JAMMU, Jul 9: Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir President Sunil Dimple on Thursday announced that he will participate in the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on July 20 in support of the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Addressing a press conference at the Press Club, Jammu, Dimple said he had accepted a telephonic invitation from National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah to join the protest.
Dimple said the protest call has been given by Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to press for the restoration of statehood. He added that Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir would extend its full support to the joint protest and continue to participate in future programmes aimed at achieving the same objective.
Announcing a “Chalo Jantar Mantar” call, Dimple appealed to the people of the Jammu region, social organizations, traders, students and civil society groups to participate in large numbers. He also invited the Chambers of Commerce of Jammu and Kashmir, transporters, bar associations and various social and community organizations to join the demonstration.
The Mission Statehood president further appealed to political parties, including the National Conference, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Apni Party and People’s Conference, besides other organizations across Jammu and Kashmir, to rise above political differences and unite for the restoration of statehood. He urged all stakeholders to work together on the issue first and resume political activities after achieving the common objective.
Referring to the issue of statehood, Dimple claimed that the Supreme Court had observed that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should be restored at the earliest. He alleged that despite earlier assurances, the Centre had not fulfilled its commitment regarding the restoration of statehood.
Dimple demanded that the Prime Minister introduce a Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed hope that the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar would witness broad participation from political parties, trade bodies, social organizations and citizens from across the Union Territory.