JKNC, BJP Stage Rival Protests in Srinagar as Statehood, Jobs and Price Rise Dominate Political Showdown
By : ANI
National Conference (JKNC) leaders and workers on Wednesday staged a protest near the BJP office in Srinagar, demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest led to a face-off between JKNC workers and police as security was heavily deployed around the BJP office. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The demonstration comes amid continued demands from the National Conference for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Earlier this month, on the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated that the National Conference remained committed to reversing the administrative and constitutional changes introduced in 2019.
In August 2019, the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370. The former state was subsequently divided into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Omar Abdullah had also led a protest in New Delhi in July, raising the demand for the restoration of statehood.
BJP stages protest against Omar government
Meanwhile, BJP leaders and workers staged a separate protest at Ghanta Ghar in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk against the Omar Abdullah-led government.
The BJP protest focused on issues including unemployment, rising prices, alleged corruption and Panchayat elections. The protesters planned to march towards the Civil Secretariat and gherao the building.
BJP leader Altaf Thakur told ANI that the party was protesting over unemployment, corruption and Panchayat elections.
“BJP is protesting on issues of unemployment, corruption and Panchayat elections. We will start from Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk, and go to the Secretariat to gherao it,” Thakur said.
Heavy security was deployed along the route from Ghanta Ghar and Lal Chowk to the Civil Secretariat.
The BJP has also criticised the government over the recent increase in electricity tariffs. Omar Abdullah, however, has maintained that the tariff hike was taken out of compulsion.
BJP targets National Conference
On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma criticised the National Conference and Omar Abdullah for announcing a protest on the same day as the BJP demonstration.
Sharma said the BJP had announced its protest around a month ago to highlight issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, with employment for young people among its main concerns.
He accused the National Conference of suddenly announcing its own protest and questioned the timing of the move.
Sharma further alleged that the previous administration had mishandled employment opportunities and accused the National Conference of trying to divert attention from its past actions.
He claimed that the JKNC protest near BJP offices was an attempt to undermine the issues being raised by the BJP, particularly those concerning unemployment among young people.
The rival demonstrations have highlighted the growing political confrontation in Jammu and Kashmir, with the JKNC focusing on statehood and the BJP targeting the government over unemployment, corruption, prices and other public issues.
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