No change in statehood protest at Delhi despite Mustafa Kamal’s death: Omar

Despite the death of his uncle and senior National Conference leader Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the party’s proposed July 20 protest in Delhi seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood will go ahead as scheduled, adding that the NC is prepared with an alternative plan if permission to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar is denied.

Omar told reporters in Srinagar that “Mustafa Kamal himself would not have wanted any alteration. When his health deteriorated on the 11 July, doctors had told us it was unlikely he would survive the day. Even then, I had instructions from the party president, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, that we had to proceed with our scheduled program. We will definitely go to Delhi on the 19 July. If we don’t get permission for Jantar Mantar, we will deliberate on the next course of action. But we are going to Delhi on 19 July.”

He said “This is a very difficult time for our family and the National Conference. Beyond being my father’s younger brother, Mustafa Kamal held a stature of his own. He served as an MLA on several occasions. Seeing so many people gathered here makes it evident that he touched countless lives”.

Omar said the party was still awaiting permission from the authorities for the protest at Jantar Mantar but had prepared an alternative course of action if approval was denied.

“We have not received permission yet. We know how to remain patient and we will wait, but we are also keeping an alternate plan ready,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he had directed party leaders to proceed with their travel plans to the national capital on 19 July.