Congress committed to restoring statehood, safeguarding J&K’s interests: Tariq Karra

Srinagar, Aug 03: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said the party, under the leadership of President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, is committed to restoring statehood and safeguarding the dignity of the people.“It is the Congress Party alone that guarantees the protection of public rights,” he said while leading a public outreach programme as part of the party’s movement “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq” in the Shalteng area of Srinagar district.Karra addressed a large gathering, highlighting the party’s “relentless efforts” to “restore the dignity and honour” of the people of J&K, which he said are under threat under BJP rule at the Centre.During the event, the J&K Congress chief called for further intensifying the movement and conducting public outreach programmes across all districts of J&K. He appealed to the people to fully join the Congress Party’s struggle for the complete restoration of statehood, asserting that statehood is a right, not a favour. “Your jobs, land, natural resources, and cultural identity are rights that must be protected at all costs,” he said.He further announced that the party has launched a relentless campaign under the banner “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq”, which will continue until the Centre honours its commitments. He congratulated the people for their overwhelming response to the movement and urged all sections of society across J&K to participate in the upcoming outreach programmes.Karra asserted that Congress will not be cowed by challenges or “propaganda” from the BJP and its proxies aimed at diverting attention from the statehood campaign. He said the movement has become a household name and will persist until the Centre restores full statehood.The JKPCC chief said Congress will observe a hunger strike starting from August 9, with leaders and workers from all districts joining in Srinagar and Jammu as per the schedule. Senior Congress leaders like Nissar Ahmad Mundoo, Dr Waleed Karra, Yasir Nissar, and others also spoke on the occasion.