JAMMU, Sep 25: President of Mission Statehood Sunil Dimple, along with hundreds of supporters, led a protest rally demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and raising several constitutional and political demands concerning the region.
During the protest, Dimple welcomed the statehood resolution introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and urged the government to incorporate what he described as the commitments made to the people during elections and subsequent political engagements.
Dimple demanded the restoration of Article 370, reintroduction of the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) or state-subject system, cancellation of domiciles issued to outsiders, and implementation of what he described as the conditions associated with the Instrument of Accession.
He also called for the unification of Ladakh, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan with Jammu and Kashmir, stating that these areas are an integral part of India.
Addressing the protesters, Dimple said political parties had made several commitments regarding Jammu and Kashmir during parliamentary and Assembly elections. He particularly referred to assurances concerning restoration of statehood and other constitutional issues, and urged National Conference leaders Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to incorporate these demands in the statehood resolution.
Dimple alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 29 MLAs had been “exposed” on the issue of statehood and claimed that the BJP did not want restoration of the erstwhile Dogra state of Jammu and Kashmir. He demanded that legislators debate the issue of statehood in the Assembly and explain their respective positions on the matter.
He further criticised the Union Government, alleging that it had not fulfilled its commitments regarding restoration of statehood. Dimple appealed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to fulfil their stated commitments and implement the Supreme Court’s directions concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest also raised objections to the conduct of elections, with Dimple making allegations against the Election Commission. He called for greater transparency in the electoral process.
Dimple said the absence of statehood had affected the people and youth of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to political parties to come together on a common platform to pursue restoration of statehood.
He reiterated his demand for restoration of the Jammu and Kashmir state and raised issues concerning Article 370, the PRC system, domiciles, the Instrument of Accession and the political status of the region.
Among those present during the protest were Vikas, Mohinder Kumar, Lichi, Tarsem Lal, Ashok Sharma, Deepak, Dalep Kumar, S. Kala Singh, Surinder Kumar, Baba Kumar and others.