Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration in Srinagar, demanding that the BJP-led Union Government fulfil its commitments on the restoration of statehood and provide constitutional safeguards to Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest march was taken out towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Srinagar, with NC workers raising slogans and carrying placards highlighting the party’s demands. Restoration of statehood has remained one of the NC’s key demands following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the protest, NC chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the demonstration was aimed at reminding the BJP leadership at the Centre of commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We only want to remind the BJP leadership in Delhi that the promises you made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be fulfilled. The time has now come,” Sadiq said.
He clarified that the protest was directed at the Union Government and the BJP’s central leadership rather than the party’s local unit in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have nothing against the BJP’s local leadership. We want to remind Prime Minister Modi and the central leadership of the commitments made before the Supreme Court. We have come here to seek fulfilment of those promises,” he said.
The NC leader said the party’s demands extended beyond statehood and included constitutional safeguards, reservation-related issues and measures to address the concerns of the region’s youth.
“It is not only about constitutional guarantees and special status, but also about statehood and reservation for our children. Something must be done for the youth today,” Sadiq said.
He also expressed concern over delays in the rationalisation of posts and other employment-related matters, calling for urgent steps to improve job opportunities for young people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sadiq said the protest was rooted in the electoral mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that their aspirations and rights must be respected.
“We are here for all the rights and the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That mandate must be respected. That is why we have come here today,” he said.
The demonstration comes amid the NC’s continued campaign for the restoration of statehood and greater constitutional and administrative safeguards for Jammu and Kashmir.
