Jammu, Mar 02: Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, accusing the party of punishing the people after not receiving a mandate to govern.
Addressing a large gathering of Congress workers in Salerh, Karra accused the BJP of attempting to rule by proxy through the Lieutenant Governor’s administration. He termed this a grave injustice and a betrayal of the party’s repeated promises regarding statehood restoration, further asserting that it defies the directives of the Supreme Court.
“It is ironic that the people must demand statehood from those in power whose political ancestors sided with the British while the Congress was at the forefront of the freedom struggle,” he said. He accused the BJP of trying to erase the historical contributions of Congress leaders in India’s independence movement.
The JKPCC Chief highlighted the contributions of Dogra warriors in expanding the boundaries of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh up to Gilgit-Baltistan. However, he condemned the BJP for dismantling the historic Dogra state and refusing to restore it, thereby forcing people, especially the Dogras, to protest on the streets.
Seeking public support for the Congress movement Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq, Karra urged the gathering to raise their hands in solidarity, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. He praised the rally’s organiser and acknowledged the efforts of Rahul Gandhi in promoting young leaders at the national level, including Shah Nawaz and IYC President Udey Chib, both of whom were present and addressed the gathering.
AICC Secretary Neeraj Kundan in his address expressed gratitude to the people of the Bishnah Assembly segment for their support in the elections and assured them of his continued commitment to their welfare. He criticised the BJP government for installing smart meters and harassing poor consumers by disconnecting power due to unpaid bills.
He also condemned the eviction of poor farmers from lands they have cultivated for decades, highlighting various issues that have left common people struggling due to BJP and LG administration policies. Kundan called on the people to rise in support of the Congress movement.
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla thanked the people of Bishnah for their support, recalling the over 40,000 votes he received in the Lok Sabha elections and the strong backing for Neeraj Kundan in the Assembly elections. He praised Bishnah residents for their secularism and resilience, especially those living along the border who have “suffered” due to BJP’s policies.
Working President Tara Chand reminded the gathering of the constitutional guarantees and safeguards under the Maharaja’s rule and post-independence. He urged people to back the Congress movement to restore statehood and address their grievances.
Former MP Ch Lal Singh, speaking at the event, highlighted the historic struggle of Dogras and their rulers in establishing a vast state, which he accused the BJP of dismantling arbitrarily against the wishes of the people, including those of Jammu.
Singh accused the BJP of exploiting the region’s resources, land, and jobs after the abrogation of special status. He pressed for constitutional safeguards to protect future generations.
