The ruling National Conference announced on Thursday that it has invited Kashmir's chief preacher, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, to participate in a protest in New Delhi aimed at pressuring the central government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The invitation was extended to Mirwaiz in his capacity as the head of the Muthaida Majlis-e-Ulema, an umbrella organization representing several religious groups.
Invitations Extended to Religious and Political Leaders
In addition to Mirwaiz, the National Conference has also invited the Grand Mufti of Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam. According to the party's chief spokesperson, Tanvir Sadiq, the invitations were sent to both religious leaders as well as all political parties in the region, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Apart from the political parties, the National Conference has invited Mirwaiz sahab, who is chief of the Muthaida Majlis-e-Ulema, and Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, the Grand Mufti of Kashmir,” Sadiq said. He added that most invitations have already been dispatched, while others are being processed.
Political Parties Called to Unite for Statehood
The National Conference has invited the president of the J&K BJP, as well as leaders of other political parties, including Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Altaf Bukhari of the Apni Party. Sadiq confirmed, “We have invited the president of J&K BJP, as well as the heads of other political parties, including Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party and Altaf Bukhari of the Apni Party.”
Sit-In Protest Scheduled at Jantar Mantar
The party has announced a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on July 20, the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. The protest is intended to remind the central government of its promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was revoked in August 2019 when the region was reorganized into two union territories.
