Jammu: Leaders and workers of opposition parties of the state gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in Jammu to protest against BJP. A one-day protest was held today on restoration of democratic system in Jammu and Kashmir and other burning issues. The protesters demanded restoration of democratic and constitutional rights in the Union Territory. However, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti did not attend the protest.
This is believed to be the first major protest in Jammu after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was removed in 2019. The protest at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in central Jammu was to be led by National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, but he reportedly could not attend the protest due to ill health. However, senior party leaders led by NC provincial president Ratan Lal Gupta participated in the protest.
On the other hand, PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also did not participate in the protest, but almost all senior party leaders including her party Vice President Abdul Hameed Chaudhary and former MLC Firdous Tak took part in the protest. Hundreds of leaders and workers of various parties including CPI(M), National Panthers Party (NPP), Awami National Conference, Shiv Sena (UBT), other social organizations came to protest.
State Congress Committee President Vikar Rasool Wani said, ‘Opposition parties have come together to demand immediate restoration of statehood, democratic and constitutional rights.’ He further said, “We will continue our protest to protect the rights of the people and their interests.” Wani alleged that the BJP was deliberately delaying the elections. The Democratic Progressive Azad Party and his party are facing defeat in the electoral battle.