Srinagar, Jul 16: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the National Conference’s proposed July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar would go ahead regardless of whether the Centre grants permission, while also appealing to activist Sonam Wangchuk to balance his health with his ongoing movement.
Speaking to reporters, Choudhary said the party had waited for 21 months for the Centre to fulfil its promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood before deciding to stage the protest.
“We have sought permission because this is a democracy,” he said. “If they give permission, that is fine. If they don’t, that is also fine. ‘Hamara programme stand karta hai’ (our programme stands).”
Referring to the July 20 demonstration, he said the National Conference wanted to remind the Centre of commitments made in Parliament, before the Supreme Court and during election campaigning.
“The Prime Minister and the Home Minister promised in Parliament, in the Supreme Court and before the people of Jammu and Kashmir during the elections that statehood would be restored after the elections. When that did not happen, after 21 months we reached the decision that we would go to Jantar Mantar to remind them of that promise. Now the time has come for statehood to be restored.”
Choudhary linked the restoration of statehood to employment, saying, “Our unemployed youth need jobs. Parents have educated their children by saving every penny, but children are still sitting unemployed at home.”
Defending the National Conference’s political legacy, the Deputy Chief Minister said the party had been forged through struggle and sacrifice.
“The National Conference is a party born out of movements. It has been built through sacrifices. This flag is not red by accident; it is red because of sacrifices,” he said.
He argued that the Jammu and Kashmir that existed before August 2019 reflected the vision of Sheikh Abdullah and the National Conference.
“The Jammu and Kashmir that existed till 2019 was the Jammu and Kashmir built by the National Conference and Sher-e-Kashmir’s vision.”
He also accused the BJP of dismantling the erstwhile state’s constitutional framework while simultaneously invoking Maharaja Hari Singh.
“Those who say they are the greatest supporters of Maharaja Sahib should answer one question. If they love the Maharaja so much, why are they standing with the BJP, which broke up the Maharaja’s state, took away statehood and removed Articles 370 and 35A?”
Responding to the BJP’s proposed protest over issues such as outsourcing, Choudhary dismissed the party’s criticism of the Omar Abdullah government.
“These are crocodile tears,” he said. “Before protesting, the BJP should first present a white paper on what it achieved during its 11-12 years in power in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He said the BJP-PDP government had handed over “a broken Union Territory with no real powers” to the National Conference government.
“In 2014 they were given a full-fledged state with special status. In 2024 we got back a broken Union Territory with no powers and widespread unemployment,” he said.
Questioning the BJP’s record, Choudhary asked why several categories of workers had not been regularised during its tenure.
“Could they not regularise daily wagers in 11-12 years? What about NYCs, NRHM workers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, Rehbar-e-Khel, Rehbar-e-Janglat and others?”
He asserted that the National Conference’s demand was limited to restoring statehood.
“Our only issue is that Jammu and Kashmir should get back its statehood so that we can work for the people.”
Choudhary also claimed that the BJP was trying to divert attention from the National Conference’s announcement of the Delhi protest.
“The decision taken at Dachigam to go to Jantar Mantar has created panic in the BJP. They are trying to divert people’s attention, but people are not going to be misled.”
Earlier in the interaction, Choudhary appealed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to consider his health while continuing his agitation.
Calling Wangchuk “a very respected social activist whose name is known in the country and the world,” he said the activist’s campaign raised legitimate concerns.
“The cause he has taken up is genuine because it concerns the children of our country. Young people are unemployed, and students have genuine concerns. After working so hard, incidents like the NEET paper leak shattered the hopes of our children. That is not a small issue.”
While emphasising that the decision ultimately rested with Wangchuk, Choudhary urged him to look after his well-being.
“I would only request him to take care of his health. He should balance both his health and the movement. We need him, and it is important that his health remains good. At the same time, it is equally important that the issue he has raised is resolved. Both are necessary.”
