JAMMU, Nov 1: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple, along with hundreds of supporters and party workers, organised a protest rally demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and special constitutional status under Article 370. The protesters called for the restoration of the erstwhile Dogra state and urged the Union Government to address the long-pending demands of the people.
Addressing the gathering, Dimple urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and special status. He said people across the Union Territory had been raising their voices for the restoration of their political and constitutional rights.
Warning of intensified agitation, Dimple threatened to call for a Jammu and Kashmir-wide bandh if the demands were not addressed. He claimed that people had brought a new wave of political awareness and were determined to continue their struggle for statehood and the restoration of Article 370.
Dimple appealed to all political parties to come together on a common platform and collectively raise the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He alleged that the Union Government had not given a clear commitment regarding the restoration of statehood.
He also criticised the 29 BJP MLAs, alleging that they had remained silent on the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He further claimed that the demand for a separate Jammu state was weakening the broader demand for the restoration of the erstwhile state.
Rejecting the proposals for separate Jammu and Kashmir states, Dimple advocated the reunification of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He also referred to his demand for the integration of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit and Baltistan into Jammu and Kashmir, describing these territories as integral to India’s national vision.
He said the absence of statehood following the abrogation of Article 370 had created difficulties for the people, particularly the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the region had witnessed considerable hardships during this period.
Dimple further outlined his demands, including the restoration of the state subject system, cancellation of domiciles issued to outsiders, implementation of the conditions associated with the Instrument of Accession and the unification of Ladakh, PoK, Gilgit and Baltistan with Jammu and Kashmir.
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 several others.
The protest concluded with the reiteration of the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and special constitutional status.