Srinagar, July 13 -- The CPI (Marxist) on Sunday said it will join the National Conference's protest at Jantar Mantar for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The protest will be held on Monday, the opening day of the Monsoon session of the Parliament.

Welcoming the invitation from National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, CPI() state secretary Mohammad Abass Rather appealed to every political party, outfit, and general public, regardless of ideology or affiliation, to join hands for statehood.

Rather criticised the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution of India and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories as a unilateral decision taken by the Centre.

"The decision was taken ...