The State Committee of the Communist Party of India-Marxist has expressed support for National Conference President Farooq Abdullah’s initiative to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi during the Monsoon session of Parliament. This protest aims to demand the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Md. Abass Rather, the State Secretary of CPI-M, has urged all political entities to unite and participate in this protest.
Following the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A on August 5, 2019, and the subsequent division of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Rather criticized the move as an attack on the entire region’s communities, castes, and creeds. He highlighted the lack of consultation with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir before implementing the decision. The Supreme Court has instructed the Centre to expedite the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of this step.
Rather condemned the Union government’s amendment to the Transaction of Business Rules, granting expanded executive powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He viewed this as a deliberate attempt to weaken the authority of the elected government and undermine the people’s mandate. The CPI-M emphasized that the protest led by Abdullah serves the larger interest of upholding the country’s Constitutional order and preventing further discontent among the populace.
Abdullah’s protest is seen as a significant move by the National Conference to push for the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He has called upon members of the INDIA bloc and reached out to various national leaders, including those from the Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, and other prominent figures. While the Centre has not responded publicly to the statehood issue, reports suggest that the Union Home Ministry is cautious about granting full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at present.
