SRINAGAR: The National Conference (NC) on Thursday said it has sent invitations to religious leaders and political parties across Jammu and Kashmir and the country to join its upcoming protest in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
In a video statement, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said party president Dr Farooq Abdullah has written letters to leaders of various political parties, including those from the INDIA bloc and other groups, seeking their participation in the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar.
“Invitation letters have been sent to all political parties of Jammu and Kashmir and the country. Dr Farooq Abdullah, our president, has written to them. We hope everyone comes forward and understands that this is about the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their statehood,” Sadiq said.
He said the demand for restoration of statehood was not limited to any single party but concerned every citizen who believes that the promise made to Jammu and Kashmir must be fulfilled.
“The promise was not only made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister but also before the Supreme Court. The time has come to fulfil that promise and return statehood to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Sadiq said invitations have also been sent to Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and Muthaida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Grand Mufti of Kashmir Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam.
“Mirwaiz sahib has been invited as he is a religious leader and heads the MMU. Similarly, letters have been sent to Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, BJP leadership and others,” he added.
Responding to remarks by Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, Sadiq said if statehood was his demand as well, then all parties should come together.
“This is a collective programme. My advice to all political parties is that, for once, keep politics aside for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the mission of every person. We have to go to Jantar Mantar and tell Delhi that people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of political affiliations, stand united so that the promise made to them is fulfilled,” he said.
Asked whether NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi had been invited, Sadiq said the outreach was meant for those outside the National Conference, while party leaders were already part of the initiative.
The National Conference has announced that it will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to press for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees.
Sadiq also said the party has urged Raj Bhawan to restore the July 13 holiday, saying people should be allowed to pay tributes and offer prayers in memory of the 1931 martyrs.
