Leaders and activists of around 20 political parties held a protest demonstration in Jammu to press for protection of status, rights, culture and heritage of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the Hindutva onslaught led by Bharatiya Janata Party government in India. According of Kashmir Media Service, before the protest march, representatives of 20 parties including political, social and intellectuals held a meeting in Jammu and raised their voice in support of the demands. The issues discussed during the meeting included full statehood, status under Article 371, protection of Dogra culture and heritage and abolition of all toll plazas in the territory. Many other demands such as official status to Punjabi language and regularization of temporary employees and daily wage earners figured in the meeting, to which all the leaders present agreed and resolved to raise their voice in solidarity and move forward.

Present on the occasion were Dogra Sadar Sabha president Gulchan Singh Charak, Harsh Dev Singh, Dogra Swabhiman Sabha’s Vajant Pathania, and HR Sharma, ID Khajuria from IDP, Professor Hari Om, Pritam Singh from Aam Aadmi Party and social activist Anna Durnai. Many leaders including Riya Kaluria, Sukhdev Singh, Sahid Salim, Tajinder Singh, Sunny Kant and Joginder Singh participated in the meeting and expressed their views. The leaders and representatives of all parties participated in demonstration and march carrying placards related to the demands in their hands. The participants stressed the need for more such meetings in future with a well thought-out roadmap.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)