JAMMU: Sunil Dimple, President of Mission Statehood, led a significant protest with a large number of youth at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, challenging what he described as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "anti-Dogra and anti-Maharaja" stance on Jammu and Kashmir's historical special status and identity. The protesters voiced strong objections to the BJP’s perceived efforts to alter the region’s identity, culture, and demographics, including through the abrogation of Article 370.
Addressing the crowd, Dimple recalled the contributions and sacrifices of Maharaja Hari Singh, who granted Jammu and Kashmir special status under the Instrument of Accession, which included provisions like Article 370, PRC state subject, and the darbar move. He emphasized that these measures were designed to protect the lands, jobs, culture, and demographic integrity of the region.
Dimple criticized the BJP's August 5, 2019, decision to revoke J&K’s special status and downgrade it into two Union Territories, calling it a "black day" for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the BJP has exposed its "dual character" on Dogra issues, including the restoration of J&K's statehood and the resumption of the darbar move.
The protest culminated with floral tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh, honoring his legacy. Dimple also welcomed recent resolutions advocating the return of Article 370 and the restoration of J&K’s statehood and demanded the implementation of the Instrument of Accession conditions.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to clarify their stance on restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and resuming the darbar move as per the Supreme Court's decisions. He accused BJP legislators of creating disruptions in the assembly and betraying the Dogra heritage by allegedly remaining silent on these issues.
Mission Statehood leaders, including Manjeet Adil Choudhry, Arun Kumar, S. Jodhveer Singh, Wasim Choudry, Dilshan Malik, Ashraf Ali, Rupesh, Divanshi, and Sanjay, stood in solidarity with Dimple and expressed their disapproval of the BJP’s approach to the region’s special status.
