Jammu, 10-10-2023 : In a significant demonstration of unity and resolve, the main opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference, Congress, and PDP, staged a nearly three-hour-long dharna (sit-in protest) aimed at securing the restoration of democratic and constitutional rights in the Union Territory. This protest marked a significant moment as the first major collective demonstration since the revocation of the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
The protest took place at the iconic Maharaja Hari Singh Park, strategically located in the heart of Jammu. The event was expected to be led by the venerable National Conference president, Farooq Abdullah. Unfortunately, due to health concerns, Farooq Abdullah was unable to attend the heavily guarded venue. Nevertheless, senior party leaders, spearheaded by provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta, actively participated in the protest.
Similarly, PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was unable to attend the protest in person. However, almost all senior leaders of the PDP in Jammu, including vice president Abdul Hameed Choudhary and former MLC Firdous Tak, made their presence felt during the demonstration.
Highlighting the urgency of their demands, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah had remarked the day before that the delay in announcing the poll schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly could potentially drive people to take to the streets in pursuit of their right to have an elected government. He expressed his concerns, stating that it appeared as if the circumstances were pushing them toward a situation where they would need to protest vigorously for their democratic rights.
The protest witnessed a substantial turnout, with hundreds of leaders and workers from various political parties, including the CPI(M), National Panthers Party (NPP), Awami National Conference, Shiv Sena (UBT), and others, alongside representatives from social organizations, coming together to voice their demands.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani emphasized the core objectives of the protest, highlighting the opposition parties’ collective demand for the immediate restoration of statehood and the preservation of democratic and constitutional rights. He underscored their unwavering commitment to continue their protest efforts to safeguard the interests and rights of the people.
Wani also voiced concerns regarding what he perceived as deliberate delays in holding elections by the BJP, suggesting that the ruling party, along with its allies like the Democratic Progressive Azad Party and the Apni Party, anticipated an electoral setback.
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami expressed skepticism about the central government led by the BJP, noting that their previous promises had proven to be “false.”
Firdous Tak of the PDP regarded the joint protest as a “positive sign” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the importance of this unified platform, sending a message to the entire nation that all opposition parties needed to stand up against the “divisive politics” of the present administration to protect secularism and the core values of the “idea of India.”