SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir National Conference (NC) leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq announced on Wednesday that no NC representatives would attend the Union Territory Foundation Day ceremony scheduled for Thursday, 31 October, in Srinagar. The event marks the anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir’s transition from statehood to Union Territory (UT) status on 31 October 2019, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expected to preside.
“None of us will go to the UT Foundation Day. We do not accept the UT Foundation Day,” stated Sadiq, who serves as the party’s Chief Spokesperson and Head of Communications. He condemned the 2019 abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status as “unconstitutional and immoral” and renewed the NC’s demand for the restoration of statehood. “We want statehood restored as soon as possible so that we can enjoy our state like other states,” Sadiq said.
This boycott continues the NC’s opposition to UT status, following party Vice President Omar Abdullah’s previous remarks labelling October 31 as a “day of mourning.” The Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir has also observed the date with disapproval; last year, they marked it as a “black day,” holding protests led by Congress J&K President Viqar Rasool Wani in Srinagar and Working President Raman Bhalla in Jammu.
The NC and Congress statements came in the wake of an anniversary event being organized at SKICC for which the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has extended invitations to the people. The event is being presided over by the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
As per a report in PTI, The NC spokesperson also said the government will restore the “Darbar move” — a bi-annual practice of shifting the seat of power between Jammu and Srinagar during winters and summers, respectively.
“Darbar move is a legacy of JK. We mentioned in our election manifesto that we will restore it. The move is directly linked to statehood and that is why we want its restoration. Once statehood is restored, the Darbar move will also be reinstated,” Sadiq said.
