Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the party’s proposed protest in New Delhi on July 20 demanding the restoration of statehood would go ahead as scheduled despite the demise of senior party leader and his uncle, Mustafa Kamal.
Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to Kamal, Abdullah said the party would honour his uncle’s wishes by continuing with the planned demonstration.
“There will be no change in that. Neither would Mustafa Kamal have wanted any change,” Abdullah said.
He said Kamal’s health had deteriorated on July 11 and doctors had expressed serious concern over his condition. Despite this, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah had directed the party to continue with its political programme.
“Even when we knew about his critical condition, the party president said that whatever happened to Mustafa Sahib, we had to continue with our protest. Therefore, there is no question of cancelling the July 20 protest,” he said.
On whether the party had received permission from the Delhi authorities to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar, Abdullah said approval was still awaited.
“We are being made to wait. We know how to be patient. We will wait and also keep an alternate plan ready,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, made it clear that the party’s schedule would remain unchanged.
“I have told my colleagues that we will definitely leave for Delhi on July 19. Even if we do not get permission for Jantar Mantar, we will reach Delhi, sit together and decide our next course of action there,” he said.
Describing Kamal’s demise as a personal and political loss, Abdullah recalled his contributions as a doctor, legislator and public servant. He said Kamal continued to run a free medical clinic in Tangmarg even while serving as Jammu and Kashmir’s Health Minister and dedicated his life to serving the poor.
Abdullah also highlighted Kamal’s political career, noting that he was elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from Tangmarg in 1987 and 1996 and later represented Patan and Hazratbal through by-elections.
He said the large turnout of mourners reflected the respect and affection Kamal had earned during his lifetime.
