SRINAGAR — The CPI (Marxist) on Sunday said it will join the National Conference’s protest at Jantar Mantar for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The protest will be held on Monday, the opening day of the Monsoon session of the Parliament.
Welcoming the invitation from National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, CPI() state secretary Mohammad Abass Rather appealed to every political party, outfit, and general public, regardless of ideology or affiliation, to join hands for statehood.
Rather criticised the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution of India and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories as a unilateral decision taken by the Centre.
“The decision was taken without any consultation with stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir, and remains an unprecedented assault on the rights of the people. It was not an attack on one party or one region alone, but one that touched every community, caste and creed in the entire region,” he said.
“Instead of fulfilling the assurances of restoration of statehood, the Union Government further amended the Transaction of Business Rules by issuing a notification on 12th July, 2024, thereby empowering the Lieutenant Governor with an expanded executive authority over police, public order and posting and transfers of All India Services Officers (IAS, IPS and IFS). The move aims at further eroding the authority of the elected government thereby undermining the mandate of the people,” he added.
Rather said the statehood demand is in the larger interest of the constitutional order.
“Any further delay in this regard is bound to further deepen the widespread discontentment and disillusionment of the people,” he said. — (PTI)