‘Should We Go to Donald Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Defends NC’s Delhi Protest for Statehood
Taking aim at the BJP for criticising the proposed protest, Abdullah questioned where else the people of J&K should raise their demand if not in the country’s capital. He said that after the NC announced its plan to protest at Jantar Mantar, BJP leaders claimed that statehood would not be restored through demonstrations in New Delhi
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly defended the National Conference (NC)’s decision to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, asserting that the party had exercised patience for nearly two years while awaiting the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Taking a jibe at the BJP’s criticism of choosing Delhi as the venue for the protest, he asked, “Should we then ask Donald Trump for it?”
Addressing the NC’s “Chalo Delhi” rally in Jammu on Sunday, Abdullah said the party had repeatedly been told that statehood could neither be secured through the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly nor by raising the issue solely within the Union Territory.
Consequently, he said, the NC had decided to take its demand directly to the national capital.
Taking aim at the BJP for criticising the proposed protest, Abdullah questioned where else the people of J&K should raise their demand if not in the country’s capital. He said that after the NC announced its plan to protest at Jantar Mantar, BJP leaders claimed that statehood would not be restored through demonstrations in New Delhi.
Responding sharply, Abdullah remarked that if the demand could not be pursued in the nation’s capital, then the party was left wondering whether it should seek intervention from abroad.
In a pointed reference, he asked whether the NC should approach US President Donald Trump or stage a protest outside the White House to seek the restoration of J&K's statehood. “If we cannot get justice in our own country’s capital, then tell us where we should go,” Abdullah said. “If protesting at Jantar Mantar and outside Parliament will not help, then the BJP should clearly tell us where the demand for statehood should be raised.”
Reiterating the NC’s long-standing demand, Abdullah appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his commitment regarding the restoration of statehood to J&K. He maintained that the party’s protest was aimed at pressing the Centre to honour that promise and restore the democratic rights and constitutional status of the people of the region.
