JAMMU /NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Sunil Dimple, President of Mission Statehood, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, expressing support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) agitation and condemning the alleged lathi charge on protesting students and opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and other Members of Parliament.
Addressing the gathering, Dimple criticized the Union Government over rising unemployment, particularly among the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the police action against protesters reflected an authoritarian approach and claimed that the concerns of the people were being ignored.
Dimple demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the alleged police action against the protesting students.
He also expressed solidarity with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and referred to his earlier hunger strike in support of Wangchuk. Dimple alleged that Wangchuk had been forcibly detained during previous protests and criticized remarks made against him by certain BJP leaders.
Speaking on Ladakh, Dimple described it as an integral part of the nation’s strategic interests and said the people of Ladakh have consistently stood in defence of the country’s borders against external threats. He extended full support to the ongoing agitation led by Abhijeet Dipke and assured that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would stand with the CJP student movement.
Raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Dimple alleged that unemployment had increased following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the former state. He claimed that the region faces serious employment challenges and urged the government to address the issue.
During his visit to Parliament, Dimple said he met several Members of Parliament from different states and appealed to them to raise the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He also urged them to introduce a Bill in the current Parliament session for this purpose.
Reaffirming Mission Statehood’s stand, Dimple said the organization would continue its movement for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and Article 370, while also advocating its long-standing political position regarding Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.