Baramulla, Aug 3: National Conference (NC) Advisor to the Chief Minister and senior party leader Nasir Aslam Wani on Monday said the party would continue its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood until the Centre fulfils its commitment.
Addressing reporters in Baramulla, Wani said the National Conference’s recent protest at JantarMantar in New Delhi marked the beginning of a sustained democratic campaign to press the Union Government for the restoration of statehood.
“Our Jantar Mantar protest was meant to remind the Centre that the promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir has still not been fulfilled,” Wani said.
He recalled that following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Centre had outlined a roadmap comprising the delimitation of Assembly constituencies, conduct of Assembly elections and restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
“Two of those commitments—delimitation and Assembly elections—have been completed. The only remaining promise is the restoration of statehood, and that should now be honoured,” he said.
Describing the issue as one of democratic rights and public aspirations, Wani said the National Conference would continue to pursue the demand through peaceful and democratic means until statehood is restored.
“This is not a one-day exercise. Our efforts will continue until Jammu and Kashmir regains its statehood,” he asserted.
Wani said the protest in the national capital witnessed the participation of the party’s entire leadership, including National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, legislators and other senior functionaries, reflecting the party’s collective commitment to the issue.
He said the party leadership would soon deliberate on the next phase of the campaign and decide its future course of action to keep the demand for statehood alive.
The National Conference had staged a demonstration in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, demanding the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Led by Dr Farooq Abdullah, party leaders and workers assembled outside the Jammu and Kashmir House carrying placards with slogans such as “Apna Wada Pura Karo”, “Restore Rights and Dignity of People of J&K” and “Restore Full Statehood”, urging the Centre to implement its stated commitment.
