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- Says ruling party is diverting attention from its electoral promises
- Jantar Mantar protest won't solve core issues without clear agenda
SRINAGAR: President People's Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, on Thursday said that while it is encouraging that the National Conference-led government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has finally decided to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, the party must first come clean on what exactly it is seeking from the Centre.
In a statement issued here, Hakeem said the restoration of statehood is not a favour but a commitment already made by the Union Government. He pointed out that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have publicly assured Parliament and the people of Jammu and Kashmir that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.
"Statehood has already been promised on the floor of Parliament. It is a commitment made by the country's highest leadership, and the Centre must fulfil it without any further delay," Hakeem said. However, he questioned the National Conference's sudden decision to launch an agitation on the issue nearly two years after assuming office.
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir did not vote for the National Conference merely for the restoration of statehood. The party sought votes in the name of restoring the constitutional and political rights of the people, including the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, which were revoked on August 5, 2019," he said.
Hakeem said the National Conference owes an explanation to the people regarding its roadmap and political objective. "The NC leadership must clarify whether it is demanding the restoration of the same statehood that existed before August 5, 2019, with constitutional safeguards and protections for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, or whether it is seeking a diluted form of statehood without any guarantees, safeguards, or special constitutional provisions," he said.
He asserted that if the ruling party is seeking a statehood arrangement devoid of meaningful constitutional protections, it would amount to misleading the people and betraying the mandate they received during the elections.
"The people voted with certain expectations and aspirations. If those aspirations are now being reduced to a limited demand for statehood without safeguards, then the government is not respecting the people's mandate," Hakeem remarked.
The PDF president further alleged that the ruling dispensation has failed to address the core political issues facing Jammu and Kashmir and is now attempting to divert public attention through symbolic political exercises.
"Two years have passed, and the government has achieved nothing on the promises it made to the people. Now, after all this time, it has suddenly realised the importance of statehood and is preparing for a protest. Such an exercise will remain a routine political drama unless there is clarity of purpose and sincerity of intent," he said.
Hakeem reiterated that if the National Conference is genuinely seeking the restoration of the pre-August 2019 status of Jammu and Kashmir, including constitutional guarantees and safeguards, it should state so unequivocally. "If that is their position, we are prepared to extend our support. But the people deserve clarity, not political theatrics," he added.
