Srinagar, July 21 -- Senior CPI (M) leader and legislator Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami on Monday expressed full support for the National Conference's protest for statehood at Jantar Mantar. "Its purpose is to remind the Government of India to fulfil its repeated assurances regarding the restoration of full statehood to J&K. These assurances have been given on several occasions by the Prime Minister and the Union home minister, both on the floor of Parliament and at public gatherings. Why is there hesitation in honouring these commitments? We are not asking for the sky. We are simply seeking that the solemn commitments for restoration of statehood be honoured in both letter and spirit. The restoration of these rights is not a concession or a favour; it is a constitutional obligation and a matter of democratic accountability," said Tarigami while addressing a press conference. He said that he expects the Government of India to translate its repeated assurances into concrete action without any further delay. "The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 was undemocratic, unconstitutional and a blatant assault on the assurances given by the Indian leadership in 1947. Despite massive participation in the 2024 assembly elections, the people's aspirations for restoration of statehood are still pending and unfulfilled," hesaid. Tarigami said Government of India's repeated claims of the restoration of peace and normalcy in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370 do not fully correspond with the realities on the ground. "The trust deficit that has accumulated over the years must be addressed. Our experience, and indeed universal experience, shows that lasting peace and normalcy cannot be achieved without meaningful engagement with the stakeholders. The objective is to remind the Government of India of its commitment to restore full statehood and to make the people of the country aware of the aspirations and concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Comrade MA Baby, general secretary of CPI(M), and Mohd Abass Rather, state secretary, CPI(M), Jammu and Kashmir, are also participating in the protest."htc...