Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 02: The ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday staged a protest in Srinagar against the BJP-led Centre, demanding fulfilment of commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees and rationalisation of reservation for youth.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesters assembled at Gindun Sports Complex in Rajbagh and later marched towards the BJP headquarters in Jawahar Nagar as part of the party’s announced “gherao” programme. Police stopped the procession near Rajbagh Police Station, where barricades had been placed to prevent the protesters from proceeding towards the BJP office. Some protesters were also taken into preventive custody.
Heavy security was deployed in Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar and adjoining areas, with police and paramilitary personnel positioned along the proposed route. Roads leading towards the BJP office were also restricted as a precautionary measure.
Senior NC leaders, ministers, legislators and party workers participated in the protest, raising slogans and carrying placards seeking restoration of statehood and other rights of Jammu and Kashmir.
*Promises must be fulfilled: Tanvir Sadiq*
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the protest, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the demonstration was aimed at reminding the BJP leadership in Delhi of the promises and 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 said the NC wanted to take out a peaceful procession towards the BJP headquarters to remind the party’s central leadership of commitments made to the people of J&K.
Sadiq clarified that the protest was not directed against the BJP’s local leadership but was aimed at conveying the party’s demands to the leadership in Delhi. He said the party’s demands included restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees and addressing reservation-related concerns affecting the 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,” he said.
The spokesperson alleged that NC workers were being prevented from reaching the protest venue due to restrictions and barricades placed at different points.
*Every day is a day of protest: Sakina Itoo*
Cabinet Minister and NC leader Sakina Itoo said the party would continue its peaceful struggle for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir chose it, and they can choose any day. For us, every day is a day of protest, and every day we will peacefully demand, at every level and on every platform, that our rights be restored,” she said.
Itoo said the demand was not confined to the NC but reflected what she described as the sentiments of people across Jammu and Kashmir. She alleged that restrictions had been imposed at several places to prevent people from joining the protest.
She also alleged that BJP workers were allowed to move freely through Lal Chowk while NC protesters faced restrictions.
“This injustice, pressure and harassment will not be tolerated. We will continue to demand our rights and will do so peacefully. InshaAllah, we will achieve them,” Itoo said.
“Our effort and our demand is that Article 370 and Article 35A be restored and statehood be restored, so that this high-handedness comes to an end,” she said.
*Compelled to protest after two years of waiting: CM’s Advisor*
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, said the NC was compelled to take to the streets after waiting for two years for key commitments to be fulfilled.
“Understand why we are compelled to stage this protest. For two years, we have been sitting patiently and waiting with the hope that the promises made to us would be fulfilled,” Wani said.
He said people had expected statehood to be restored after the elections, but no concrete discussion had taken place on the issue. Wani also highlighted the issue of reservation rationalisation, saying the Cabinet had approved the matter and forwarded it to the Lieutenant Governor, but the issue remained pending.
“This is an issue directly linked to the future of our youth, but it is also being delayed, and no decision has been taken on it,” he said.
Wani questioned the delay in the appointment of the Advocate General, saying several matters were being held up.
“The situation has reached such an extent that even the Advocate General has not been appointed yet. So, what are we protesting about? Those who are responsible for working should do their work,” he said.
He accused the opposition of attempting to divert public attention instead of addressing issues confronting the people. He further alleged that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were suffering because of what he described as the opposition’s inability to accept the electoral verdict.
*Reminding PM, HM of ‘unfulfilled promises’: MP Ramzan*
NC Member Parliament (MP) Choudhary Ramzan on Wednesday said the party’s protest was aimed at reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of their “unfulfilled promises” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NC protest, Ramzan, said the party was seeking the fulfilment of commitments including restoration of statehood and constitutional rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are reminding the PM and HM of their unfulfilled promises. We want them to remember their promises, including restoration of statehood and constitutional rights,” he said.
Ramzan said the Centre must fulfil the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the NC would continue holding protests from time to time until the demands are fulfilled.
“This protest will continue from time to time. We will keep reminding them until the promises are fulfilled,” he said.
The NC MP also alleged that people in Jammu and Kashmir were suffering under the BJP-led government and said the government “must be changed”—(KNO)
