Defending NC’s Jantar Mantar protest, Omar Abdullah says the demonstration was aimed at restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s rights, urges the Centre to honour its promise on statehood, and criticises opponents for staying away from the movement.
SRINAGAR, July 21(KNB): National Conference (NC) vice president and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday defended the party’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, saying it was aimed at securing the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s rights and statehood, while accusing political opponents of criticising the initiative instead of joining the movement.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Abdullah clarified that he was speaking in his capacity as the vice president of the National Conference and not on behalf of the government.
Referring to criticism over Monday’s protest, Abdullah said some political leaders who entered politics after 2000 still wanted to suppress the voice of the people.
“We organised a programme and went to Delhi to seek our rights. We invited all political parties to join us, but some of those who were expected to stand with us are instead making allegations against us,” he said.
Abdullah said he had appealed to every political party to participate in the protest. “Whoever I spoke to, I requested them to stand with us. The Congress fully supported the programme and leaders of the CPI also extended their support,” he said.
He added that efforts were also made to hold a meeting at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, but the programme could not be organised there.
Responding to opposition leaders who argued that the demand for restoration of Article 370 should take precedence, Abdullah said such a demand without statehood would only provide the BJP-led Centre with an excuse to avoid addressing the issue of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
“If we start by demanding Article 370 now, the Delhi government will get an excuse. The BJP has made it clear it will never restore Article 370. Without statehood, even Article 370 serves no practical purpose because the powers are not with an elected government,” he said.
He reiterated that restoration of statehood was the foundation for any future political or constitutional engagement.
“Today almost all powers are with Delhi and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration. First the base has to be restored. Only then can there be a meaningful discussion on other constitutional issues,” he said.
Abdullah said the BJP had repeatedly committed to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and must fulfil that promise.
“The BJP has made this promise. It was also stated before the Supreme Court. They have to honour that commitment,” he said.
He also accused some political leaders of avoiding confrontation with the BJP while targeting the National Conference.
“Some people did not want to upset the BJP. They stayed at home and kept posting tweets instead of joining the protest. The people have seen who came out on the streets and who remained confined to social media,” he said.
Referring to remarks made by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma that agencies should decide the timing of restoration of statehood, Abdullah said he was not in a position to respond to such statements.
“I am not a free man to react to every statement made by Sunil Sharma,” he said, adding sarcastically that “if agencies are now going to decide our future, then that should have been said earlier. We too will wait for the agencies.”
Abdullah asserted that the National Conference would continue its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights.
“There will be no shortcoming from our side in this fight. We believe Delhi will understand the sentiments of the people and fulfil its promise of restoring statehood,” he said.
Referring to Monday’s protest at Jantar Mantar, Abdullah said the participation of NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah, despite his advanced age, reflected the party’s commitment to the cause.
“Our president, who is 90 years old, led the protest himself. That is the symbol of our commitment to our people,” he said.
Abdullah also thanked those who travelled to the national capital to participate in the demonstration.
“I thank all those who came to Delhi on their own. We did not arrange air tickets or train tickets for them. They travelled at their own expense because they believed in this cause,” he said.(KNB)