J&K CM Omar firm on July 20 statehood protest in Delhi; says venue, mode may change

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Vice President of ruling National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that the proposed statehood protest on July 20 will be held, although the venue and mode of this protest might change.

“The National Conference’s programme to travel to New Delhi on July 20 will go ahead as planned, the venue and mode of the proposed protest may change, but the party will not alter its decision”, CM Omar said speaking to reporters on Thursday.

He said, “We will not carry out this programme secretly in some corner. We will go to Delhi and raise our voice there.”

On being asked whether announcements of other programmes by groups ahead of the proposed protest amounted to sabotage or a diversion, the Chief Minister declined to comment, saying that he will not get into whether it is a sabotage or a diversion.

He reiterated that the party would proceed with its Delhi programme. “If we wanted to hold the programme secretly, we could have done it in the courtyard of our own home. We will go to Delhi and one way or the other, raise our voice there. After that, we will decide the future course of action,” he said.

It must be mentioned that Kashmiri Pandit organisations, including Panun Kashmir, have announced a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 to protest for a separate homeland within the Kashmir region and seek justice for the 1990 community exodus.

The demands by Kashmiri Pandits to be raised during their proposed Jantar Mantar protest include creation of a separate homeland for displaced Kashmiri Hindus in the Kashmir Valley, combined with accountability for the community’s historical displacement and genocide.

The demonstration shares the venue on the same day with the J&KNC, which is holding a rally demanding the early restoration of J&K’s statehood.

All senior leaders including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and legislators of the NC are going to Delhi on July 19 to be available for the party’s protest on July 20.

IANS