SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the National Conference (NC) is awaiting permission for its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 to press for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, alleging that attempts were being made to “sabotage” the programme.
The NC has announced a sit-in protest on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session and has invited leaders from various political and religious organisations to join the demonstration.
“We are trying to get permission. A programme is scheduled on July 20, if permission is granted,” Omar told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar.
The Chief Minister said the party had been waiting for approval for the past several days while others received permission quickly.
“We have been trying for four-five days. Some people are engaged in sabotaging our programme. They have changed their dates and matched them with our dates,” he alleged without naming anyone.
On the suspension of four teachers in Ganderbal over alleged irregularities in Amarnath Yatra duty, Omar said the elected government does not interfere in the management of the pilgrimage and its role remains limited to providing support.
“There might be interference in our work occasionally, but we do not interfere in the management of the Yatra,” he said, adding that all departments would continue extending cooperation to the Shrine Board.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s religious tourism potential, Omar said the region has pilgrimage destinations belonging to all faiths. He said the response to the Amarnath Yatra and Kheer Bhawani Mela reflected the growing footfall of pilgrims.
The Chief Minister also flagged climate change as a serious global challenge, saying its impact was visible in Kashmir’s changing weather patterns and declining snow cover.
“There was a time when mountains remained covered with snow even in summers. Earlier, the Amarnath Shivling would remain for several days, but now it melts much earlier,” he said.
Omar also hoped that tourist destinations closed after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack would reopen soon, saying Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured him that the matter would be addressed during summer.
“I hope that after the Yatra ends and forces deployed for it are redeployed, these closed places will be reopened,” he added.
