Opposition to Stage Major Protest for Full Statehood in Jammu and Kashmir

On August 3, various opposition parties and organizations, led by the All Party United Front, will protest in Jammu. They demand full statehood restoration and rollback of a central government order granting more powers to the lieutenant governor. An 11-member committee will lead the protest efforts.

Several opposition parties and organizations will stage a protest in Jammu on August 3 to press for the restoration of full statehood and the rollback of a central government order giving more powers to the lieutenant governor ahead of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protest will be led by the All Party United Front (APUF), a Jammu-based amalgam of various opposition parties and social groups. A 'dharna' will be held at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, organized under the banner of APUF in demand for the restoration of full statehood to J-K and the rolling back of the latest amendments under section 55 of the Reorganization Act, 2019. J-K Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Manish Sahni alleged that the definition of democracy has changed under BJP rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sahni stated that the demonstration should serve as an eye-opener for BJP, urging them to end what he described as deceit, fraud, and injustice towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The decision for the demonstration was concluded at a joint meeting of various opposition parties and social groups, forming an 11-member core committee headed by former MP Sheikh Abdul Rehman. The Union Home Ministry recently amended the rules under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, giving the lieutenant governor more powers, particularly regarding crucial matters such as police and all-India services officers. Earlier, the APUF had threatened a relay hunger strike if the order was not revoked by the end of July.

(With inputs from agencies.)