JAMMU, Jul 31: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple on Friday said he has received an invitation from National Conference Member of Parliament Agha Ruhullah Mehdi to attend a meeting scheduled for August 5 at the Constitution Club in New Delhi to discuss the abrogation of Article 370, Article 35A, and the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
According to Dimple, apart from the formal invitation letter, the MP also spoke to him over the phone from Parliament, requesting his participation in the meeting. He said the Mission Statehood working committee would take a final decision on whether to attend the programme.
Dimple stated that preparations for the observance of August 5 as a “Black Day” are underway, with various political parties finalising their respective programmes. He said the meeting convened by MP Agha Ruhullah is expected to bring together political leaders, Members of Parliament, intellectuals and representatives of different organisations to deliberate on issues relating to the constitutional changes introduced on August 5, 2019, and the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Wishing the MP success in his initiative, Dimple said Mission Statehood has been opposing the August 5, 2019 decisions from the very beginning. He reiterated that the organisation would extend support to all political parties and organisations pursuing the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and advocating for the reinstatement of Article 370 and Article 35A.
Referring to the organisation’s activities, Dimple said Mission Statehood had recently held a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and had also met senior Supreme Court lawyers regarding the delay in the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
He announced that Mission Statehood would observe August 5 as a “Black Day” across Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed to be in touch with various political parties, including the Congress, National Conference and PDP, as well as several organisations, to coordinate the observance.
Dimple further said that a writ petition would be filed in the Supreme Court in August concerning the delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He maintained that the movement launched by Mission Statehood in 2019 has since grown into a wider public campaign.