Srinagar, Jul 17 : The ruling National Conference (NC) will proceed with its plan to travel to New Delhi for a protest demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, even though permission to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar is yet to be granted, the party said on Friday.
NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party remained optimistic that authorities would allow the protest, noting that similar demonstrations had been permitted at the venue in the past.
“We will leave for Delhi regardless, and we hope permission will be granted,” Sadiq told reporters in Srinagar.
He said the demand for the restoration of statehood transcended party lines and concerned every resident of Jammu and Kashmir.
Calling for a united political stand, Sadiq said the NC had invited leaders from different political parties, including the BJP, as well as civil society organisations, to support the campaign.
“This is not an issue of one political party. It concerns the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and we want it to become a collective movement,” he said.
Sadiq also welcomed the Congress party’s decision to hold district-level protests on July 19 in support of the restoration of statehood.
He said a joint effort by political parties on the issue would send a strong message in favour of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
The NC leader said the party would announce the detailed schedule of its Delhi programme on Saturday.(KNS)
