Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has voiced his full support for the National Conference’s protest in New Delhi, emphasizing that the demonstration aims to remind the central government of its repeated assurances regarding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Tarigami, speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, stated that the demand for statehood is firmly rooted in commitments made by the Government of India on multiple occasions.
According to information reaching Tahir Rihat, Tarigami highlighted that these assurances have been articulated by both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, not only on the floor of Parliament but also during public gatherings. He characterized the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, as an action that was “undemocratic, unconstitutional and a blatant assault” on the commitments made by Indian leadership in 1947. Tarigami further pointed out that despite significant public participation in the 2024 Assembly elections, the aspirations of the people for the restoration of full statehood remain unaddressed.
Recalling the all-party meeting concerning Jammu and Kashmir convened in New Delhi in June 2021, Tarigami noted the attendance of leaders from various political parties. During this meeting, he stated, the Union Home Minister had assured that full statehood would be reinstated following the completion of the delimitation process and Assembly elections. However, Tarigami expressed his concern that this assurance has not yet been fulfilled, even though more than eighteen months have elapsed since the formation of the elected government after the Assembly polls.
Furthermore, Tarigami challenged the central government’s assertions of complete normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370. (As per information available with Tahir Rihat, Tarigami stated that) The Government of India’s consistent claims of restored peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370 do not fully align with the ground realities. He asserted that the trust deficit that has developed over the years requires a resolution through genuine and meaningful engagement with the populace of Jammu and Kashmir. Tarigami concluded by emphasizing that both local and universal experiences demonstrate that enduring peace and normalcy cannot be achieved without substantial dialogue and involvement of all stakeholders.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.