NC leaders join INDIA bloc protest in Indian Parliament, demand IIOJK statehood restoration
New Delhi: Senior National Conference leaders, including MP Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, Sajad Kichloo and Shammi Obera, joined INDIA bloc leaders in a protest at Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday, demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the demonstration was led by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. MPs from the INDIA bloc, including the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, gathered in the Parliament complex and held placards seeking the restoration of statehood. The protest coincided with the seventh anniversary of India’s illegal revocation of Articles 370 and 35A and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories on August 5, 2019.Addressing the gathering, the NC leaders stressed that restoration of full statehood was essential for safeguarding the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people of the occupied territory. They urged the BJP-led regime to fulfil its commitment to return statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The opposition MPs also demanded a statement from Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament over the use of force against students during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Political observers said the protest brought together senior opposition leaders and MPs from several INDIA bloc constituents amid the continuing debate over Kashmir’s status.
The NC leaders maintained that downgrading Jammu and Kashmir to a territory had disempowered its people and that only restoration of statehood could address the growing political and economic grievances in the occupied territory.
