Srinagar, July 12: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has expressed its support for the proposed protest by National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. The party has called on all political parties, organizations, and citizens to join this demonstration.
Mohammad Abbas Rather, Secretary of the CPI(M) Jammu and Kashmir State Committee, stated that the issue of restoring statehood is not limited to any single party or region but is connected to all communities and people of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the need for unity in this movement, setting aside all differences.
In his statement, Rather pointed out that on August 5, 2019, the central government revoked Article 370 and Article 35-A, dividing Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh. He alleged that this decision was made without any extensive discussion with the stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir.
He noted that although the decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35-A has received judicial approval, the Supreme Court has directed the central government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. However, this promise has yet to be fulfilled.
The CPI(M) leader accused the central government of amending the ‘Transaction of Business Rules’ on July 12, 2024, which granted Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha greater executive powers in matters such as police, law and order, and appointments and transfers of All India Services officers. According to him, this has weakened the powers and mandate of the elected government.
The CPI(M) stated that the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar is in the broader interest of protecting the constitutional framework and democratic values of the country. The party warned that further delays in restoring statehood would increase dissatisfaction and despair among the people.
Notably, the National Conference considers this protest to be the largest political campaign to restore full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah has appealed to all parties in the India alliance to participate in the demonstration.
Sources indicate that Farooq Abdullah has urged 52 leaders from across the country, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, DMK chief M.K. Stalin, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, to join the protest.
However, the central government has not provided any official response on this issue. Sources claim that the Ministry of Home Affairs believes that the conditions are not currently favorable for restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.