Speaking to reporters here, MLA Sadiq as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said the July 20 protest was unprecedented, with a sitting chief minister leading the agitation from the front. "In this country, when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir, and when it comes to the rights of Jammu and Kashmir, I feel that every person in Jammu and Kashmir should think that for the first time in history, a political party, a ruling political party, went to Jantar Mantar and fought for its rights," he said.

 

He highlighted the significance of the event, asserting that no other state or political party had witnessed such a moment. "Perhaps the biggest thing in this country has never happened anywhere, nor do I think it will ever happen, that a sitting chief minister went to Jantar Mantar in the form of a protest, spoke and told the whole country that the rights of Jammu and Kashmir are as important as that of any other state," MLA Sadiq said.

 

The NC leader, however accused PDP president Mehbooba Mufti of making a "disgusting" statement that drew a distinction between police action in Delhi and in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

"We invited Mehbooba Mufti to come to Jantar Mantar. She did not come at that time. And when she went to the CJP protest, she did well. It is very good that you went. But to go out and give this statement, that the stick that happened in Delhi was wrong—because in Jammu and Kashmir, it is customary to hit the stick. Because there are militants in front and behind. So, everyone in Jammu and Kashmir is a militant," MLA Sadiq said, quoting the former chief minister.

 

He questioned the logic behind such a remark, asking whether she was endorsing police brutality in the Union Territory.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"Whoever comes out tomorrow to protest, for anything, is a militant. Whoever is protesting for reservation, is a militant. Whoever is protesting for small things, is a militant. So, are you giving a full certificate to the police authorities that when you hit the stick in Jammu and Kashmir, it is customary? Like they said, it is customary in Jammu and Kashmir, so it is right. But it is not right in Delhi, because it is different in Delhi," he said.

 

MLA Sadiq demanded an unconditional apology. "I am surprised that the Chief Minister condemns Jammu and Kashmir for Delhi, and condemns Jammu and Kashmir for this. It is a great pity, and I think they should apologize. Their statement is so disgusting, that you can hit and beat every resident of Jammu and Kashmir, but you cannot beat the people of Delhi. What is this?" he asked.

 

The NC leader also took a swipe at other political parties, accusing them of remaining passive while the NC fought for the rights of the people. "It is a pity that many political parties who were sitting here, in their homes, were tweeting. They did not understand that such a big event, as I said, it may be the first time in history that a political party went to Jantar Mantar and spoke about its rights," he said.

 

MLA Sadiq said the NC's protest was driven by conviction and faith, despite last-minute hurdles. "We were not given permission till the last moment. But Allah is with us that everyone reached the gate of Jantar Mantar, where there was a barrier. And everyone, whether it was anyone, came from a distance. All the speakers of Jammu and Kashmir were included in that protest," he said.

 

He expressed hope that their demand for restoration of rights, including statehood, would reach the right ears and be fulfilled at the appropriate time. "We hope that the right things reach the right place. And as soon as possible, the appropriate time is reached. And the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be fulfilled," Sadiq said. (KNS)