Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday staged a protest in Srinagar, urging the BJP-led federal government to fulfil its commitments to the region, including the restoration of statehood and addressing concerns over constitutional safeguards and reservations for youth.
However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah did not attend the protest.
A party spokesperson, who requested anonymity, said it was not necessary for the two senior leaders to attend every party demonstration, adding that several members of the NC leadership, including legislators, ministers and advisers to the chief minister, were present.
“It is not necessary that they attend everything. The entire leadership was there. MLAs were there, advisers to the chief minister were there and ministers were also present,” the spokesperson said.
Sepertaely, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the protest was aimed at reminding the BJP leadership in New Delhi of promises 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 told reporters on the sidelines of the protest.
He said the party had planned to hold a peaceful procession towards the BJP headquarters to convey its demands to the central leadership.
“We want to take out the procession peacefully and march towards the BJP headquarters to remind them of the promises made to us by Prime Minister Modi and the commitments made before the Supreme Court,” he said.
Sadiq said the protest was not directed at the BJP’s local leadership but was intended to send a message to the party’s leadership in New Delhi.
The NC’s demands include the restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards and a resolution of reservation-related issues affecting young people.
“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 raised concerns over delays in a pending proposal related to the rationalisation of posts, saying employment-related issues affecting young people needed to be addressed.
Meanwhile, Sadiq alleged that NC workers were being prevented from reaching the protest venue because of restrictions and barricades at several locations.
“Our workers are not being allowed to come here at the moment. We had already asked people to come here. There are restrictions from all sides,” he said.
Sadiq said the party was seeking the restoration of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and respect for the electoral mandate received by the NC.
“We are here for all the rights and the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That mandate must be respected,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP also held a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday, with party leaders and workers gathering at Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk to raise issues including unemployment, corruption, price rise and the recent electricity tariff hike. The party had planned to march towards the Civil Secretariat, while heavy security was deployed along the route.
