SRINAGAR, Jul 2: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple on Thursday announced that he would stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and raising other political demands.
Addressing the media at Lal Chowk and Pratap Park in Srinagar, Dimple said his visit to Kashmir is aimed at bringing together political parties, traders, intellectuals and various organisations on a common platform to launch a united campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He said he was also seeking support for a proposed protest in the national capital.
Dimple stated that he would meet senior Supreme Court advocates to discuss the delay in the restoration of statehood and explore the legal aspects surrounding the issue. He alleged that despite the matter being considered by the Supreme Court, the BJP-led Central Government has remained non-committal on restoring statehood to the Union Territory.
He reiterated his demand for the restoration of Article 370 and also called for the unification of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit and Baltistan under the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. He further referred to the implementation of the Standstill Agreement and the conditions of the Instrument of Accession as part of his political demands.
Dimple also rejected any proposal for talks between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Referring to reports that a group of 117 Kashmir-based leaders had signed a letter urging the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to initiate dialogue, he questioned the authority of the signatories to make such a proposal and termed them “self-styled leaders.”
He maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to hold talks with Pakistan on Kashmir. Dimple claimed that the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir is peaceful and asserted that issues concerning the region should be addressed within India’s constitutional framework.
During his visit, Dimple said he met several political leaders, representatives of organisations, traders and members of civil society, appealing to them to unite in support of the movement for the restoration of statehood. He reiterated that the proposed Jantar Mantar protest would highlight the demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and other issues raised by his organisation.
The statements made by Dimple reflect his political views and demands. There has been no official response from the Central Government or the other individuals and groups mentioned regarding these remarks.