CPI-M has backed Farooq Abdullah’s Jantar Mantar protest demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir statehood during Parliament’s Monsoon Session. The party urged political groups and citizens to unite, saying the movement seeks constitutional rights, democratic governance and fulfillment of promises on statehood restoration.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has extended its support to National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah‘s call for a major protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstration is scheduled to coincide with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and is expected to bring together leaders and representatives from several opposition parties across the country.
The announcement marks a significant political development as opposition parties intensify pressure on the Union Government to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, nearly six years after the erstwhile state was reorganised into two Union Territories.
CPI-M Jammu and Kashmir State Secretary Md. Abass Rather appealed to all political parties, social organisations and citizens to put aside political differences and participate in the protest. According to Rather, the demand for statehood is not limited to any one political party or community but concerns the democratic rights of all residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre revoked Article 370 and Article 35-A on August 5, 2019, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status. Simultaneously, the former state was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The move sparked widespread political debate and continues to remain one of the most significant constitutional decisions in recent Indian history.
In his statement, Rather said the 2019 decision was implemented without adequate consultation with the stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that the issue extends beyond political affiliations and affects every community, caste and religious group in the region.
While acknowledging that the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A, Rather pointed out that the apex court also directed the Union Government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. He said repeated public assurances regarding statehood restoration have yet to be fulfilled.
The CPI-M leader also criticised the amendments to the Transaction of Business Rules notified on July 12, 2024. According to Rather, the revised rules expanded the executive powers of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over police administration, public order and the posting and transfer of All India Services officers. He alleged that these changes further reduced the authority of the elected government and weakened the democratic mandate of the people.
Rather maintained that the proposed protest is aimed at safeguarding constitutional values and democratic governance. He warned that any further delay in restoring statehood could deepen public dissatisfaction and increase political disillusionment in Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq Abdullah’s planned demonstration is widely viewed as one of the National Conference’s most significant efforts to build nationwide political support for the restoration of statehood. The veteran leader has appealed to members of the INDIA bloc and other opposition parties to participate in the protest.
According to party sources, Abdullah has contacted more than 50 prominent political leaders from across the country seeking their support. Those approached reportedly include Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, DMK President M.K. Stalin, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, among others.
The proposed protest is expected to become a major political event during the Monsoon Session, with opposition parties likely to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood inside and outside Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Union Government has not officially responded to the latest call for protest. However, sources have indicated that the Ministry of Home Affairs believes the prevailing security and administrative situation is not yet conducive for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
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As political mobilisation gathers momentum, the demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is set to remain a prominent issue in national politics during the upcoming Parliament session.
