SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is set for a political showdown on July 20, with the ruling National Conference (NC) staging a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi seeking restoration of statehood, while the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit will hold a Secretariat gherao against the Omar Abdullah government's outsourcing policy.
The NC has invited 56 leaders from across the country, including Congress president, leaders of other political parties and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, to participate in the protest on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the protest would go ahead despite pending approval from the Delhi government.
“The venue or the mode may change but the Delhi programme will not change,” Omar said, adding his party will not protest by hiding in some corner.
After assuming office, Omar's cabinet passed a resolution seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood in its original form. Copies of the resolution were submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other central leaders. However, there has been no progress on the issue, according to the NC.
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has announced its participation in the protest. The PDP and other Kashmir-based opposition parties are unlikely to attend. NC MP Aga Ruhullah also said he would not participate, stating that the party had received a mandate for the restoration of Article 370 and should pursue that demand instead of statehood.
The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit has announced a Secretariat gherao on the same day against the government's outsourcing policy.
“The BJP activists will gherao Secretariat to protest against Omar government’s outsourcing policy. About 25000 youth have been provided jobs through backdoor through outsourcing policy, which is injustice with the unemployed youth,” J&K BJP spokesman Manzoor Bhat said.
He said around 10,000 BJP workers from across the Kashmir Valley are expected to participate in the protest.
Manzoor said J&K youth deserve merit and not outsourcing and backdoor appointments and urged youth to join BJP’s Secretariat gherao protest to raise voice for transparent recruitment and justice for J&K’s youth.
The BJP has invited trade unions, civil society groups, youth, employee bodies and other public groups to join the protest.
“The protest will demand end to appointments through outsourcing; transparent, merit-based and fair recruitment; prevention of backdoor appointments and recruitment irregularities; protection of employment opportunities for educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir; ensuring accountability and transparency in governance and public administration and safeguarding the interests and aspirations of deserving job seekers across the Union Territory,” a BJP leader said.
