JAMMU, Jul 15: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple on Wednesday appealed to all political parties, trade bodies, social organisations, students, transporters, lawyers, and civil society groups to participate in the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on July 20, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Addressing a protest demonstration on Janipur High Court Road in Jammu, Dimple urged parties including the Congress, BJP, PDP, Apni Party, People’s Conference, Jammu Chamber of Commerce, Bar Associations, transport unions and various social organisations from both Jammu and Kashmir to unite for what he described as a common cause.
Dimple said he would be on a four-day visit to New Delhi, where he plans to meet Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to highlight the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following its reorganisation into a Union Territory. He said the delegation would seek support for the restoration of statehood.
He claimed that Mission Statehood had launched its campaign for restoration of statehood on August 5, 2019, and pursued the matter up to the Supreme Court. Referring to the court’s observations on statehood, Dimple alleged that the Union Government had failed to fulfil its commitment regarding the restoration of statehood.
Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Dimple alleged that the party was weakening the movement for restoration of statehood. He also criticised demands for a separate Jammu state, alleging that such proposals undermine the historical identity of the erstwhile princely state established under Maharaja Hari Singh. These are political allegations made by Dimple.
Dimple reiterated his support for the restoration of statehood and Article 370, stating that Mission Statehood would participate in the July 20 all-party protest at Jantar Mantar and continue supporting similar programmes in the future.
He also appealed to chambers of commerce, bar associations, transporters, traders, students, Rajput Sabha, Khatri Sabha, Brahman Sabha, religious organisations and media persons from both Jammu and Kashmir to join the demonstration.
Among those present on the occasion were Naginder Chowdhary, Rocky Kapoor, Ashok Kumar, Happy, Sanjay Shami and several other supporters.