Jammu, July 12: Ahead of the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday said that the return of statehood is essential for bringing “Acche Din” (good days) to the people of the Union Territory.
Addressing reporters, Choudhary said unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Central Government to restore statehood without further delay.
“‘Acche Din’ can only come when statehood is restored. Today, every household has an unemployed child. Give us back statehood. This is the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Announcing details of the party’s planned demonstration, the Deputy Chief Minister said all National Conference legislators and ministers would participate in the Jantar Mantar protest on July 20 to press for the restoration of statehood.
“On July 20, all NC legislators and ministers will go to Jantar Mantar and sit on a dharna to raise the demand for restoration of statehood,” Choudhary said.
The protest is part of the National Conference’s ongoing campaign seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was withdrawn after the erstwhile state was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in August 2019.
The NC leadership has maintained that restoration of statehood is necessary to strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance, and address the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The July 20 demonstration is expected to be attended by senior party leaders, ministers, legislators, and workers.
