Seeking the restoration of statehood for J&K, the Panthers Party would hold protests at District and Tehsil Headquarters on August 5, the day the erstwhile State was demoted to the level of Union Territory (UT). The NPP activists would organize such protests in their respective Districts and Tehsils and submit memorandums to DCs, SDMs and Tehsildars highlighting the demand for immediate grant of State status to J&K which was wrongfully downgraded in August last, said Singh. The decision was taken in a Party meeting held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman-JKNPP & former Minister. The meeting was attended by Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia State President, Mr. Yash Paul Kundal State President Young Panthers besides other senior leaders of the Party.
Speaking to media persons, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that while the NPP had endorsed the abrogation of Article 370, it was strongly opposed to the dismantling of 200 year old historical State of J&K and downgrading it to the level of UT. He said that such move of BJP led government had not only lowered the morale of the people of erstwhile State but caused huge disenchantment in the hearts and minds of general masses. “It was not a demotion of the State only. Infact every sensible citizen felt downgraded and humiliated. It had deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Jammu in particular as J&K was the only Dogra State in the country which was conceptualized and created by Dogra rulers with countless sacrifices by the warrior clan” said Singh.
“History bears testimony that J&K acceded to Union of India in 1947 only due to the historic decision taken by Maharaja Hari Singh despite numerous odds, pulls and pressures. The demotion of State to UT level was not only unprecedented in the history but amounted to huge disparagement of the patriotic Dogras of Jammu region”, observed Singh.
Alleging continued neglect and deprivation of Jammu region even after abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, Mr. Singh said that BJP had failed to redeem any of its promises made to its electorates with majority of the development projects of Jammu having been either stalled or abandoned. The Dogra land has continued to remain the victim of the cold criminal negligence of the present regime. The projects including Artificial Tawi Lake, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Project, Cable Car Project to Bahu and Mahamaja, Smart City, AIIMS all appeared to have been abandoned. Unemployed and underemployed youth were on the roads. 4G connectivity was withdrawn. And the only achievement of the BJP led government after Article 370 abrogation appeared to be the installation of multiple Toll Plazas, asserted Singh.
Urging upon the people to support the movement of Panthers Party for restoration of statehood, Mr. Harsh Dev urged for personal intervention of President of India to save the people of J&K from dictatorial and autocratic regime.