NEW DELHI, Jul 21: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple, who is on a four-day visit to the national capital, on Tuesday said he has decided to file a fresh writ petition in the Supreme Court in August seeking the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Dimple, the decision was taken after holding discussions with senior lawyers at the Supreme Court following his protest at Jantar Mantar. He said he was dissatisfied with what he described as the “half-hearted approach” of various political parties on the issue of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Addressing the media outside the Supreme Court, Dimple claimed that he had discussed the legal aspects of filing a fresh petition concerning the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He also said he would continue to pursue legal remedies on issues related to Article 370.
Dimple alleged that the BJP was delaying the restoration of statehood and claimed that different slogans and political narratives were creating obstacles to the demand for reinstating the former state’s status. He further alleged that unemployment had increased in Jammu and Kashmir following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state and the abrogation of Article 370.
During his Delhi visit, Dimple said he also met Members of Parliament from different states at the Constitution Club of India and appealed to them to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
He urged the Prime Minister to introduce a Bill in Parliament for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Dimple also reiterated his demand for the implementation of the Instrument of Accession conditions and the state subject system. In addition, he reiterated his demand for the unification of Ladakh, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit and Baltistan with Jammu and Kashmir, a political position that reflects his organization’s views.
Dimple said Mission Statehood had launched its campaign for the restoration of statehood on August 5, 2019, and claimed that the movement had since grown into a mass campaign.
He asserted that Mission Statehood would continue its agitation until its demands, including the restoration of statehood and other issues raised by the organisation, are addressed.
Dimple also said that during his stay in Delhi, he extended support to the ongoing agitation of the Cockroach Janta Party.