PCC Chief Tariq Hameed Karra, along with Working Presidents Tara Chand & Raman Bhalla and I/C HQ Ved Mahajan, chaired a crucial meeting of District Presidents from several districts of the Jammu Region – Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Rajouri, and Poonch at the PCC HQ.
Karra emphasized that District Presidents are vital functionaries of the party, and they must play a significant role in strengthening the party at the grassroots level. He stressed that the policies and programs of the high command must reach every corner of the region.
The PCC Chief held a day-long interaction with the District Presidents of Jammu Province, lasting over five hours. During this time, he gathered valuable feedback on organizational matters and the party structure at the district level. Karra attentively listened to the concerns of each District President and assured them that necessary steps would be taken to bolster the organizational framework.
Karra highlighted the ongoing economic crisis, with people across the country grappling with rising inflation. He noted that the youth are finding it increasingly difficult to secure jobs, and there is a growing sense of despair. “People are worried about losing their jobs, their incomes are diminishing, and their aspirations for a better future are shattering,” he stated. “There is a deep sense of hopelessness among the people. The Congress Party is duty-bound to address these pressing issues.”
On the contentious issue of the “Ropeway” from Katra to Bhawan, Karra remarked that the construction of the ropeway should not come at the expense of local people and their livelihoods. He urged the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, who also chairs the Shrine Board, to prioritize the 40,000 people whose livelihoods are entirely dependent on the Yatra — including local shopkeepers, pony service providers, and laborers. “It is incumbent upon the LG to devise a method that ensures the concerns of all stakeholders are addressed, balancing the needs of Yatra facilities with the livelihood of the affected people,” he stressed.
Karra also underscored the urgent need to restart the historic Darbar Move, calling it a critical economic engine for Jammu.
He reminded the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir is the only region in the country with two capitals. “The Darbar Move fosters cultural, economic, and religious exchange between the regions, which is the essence of brotherhood and harmony,” he said. He lamented the potential loss of this historic practice, which has been in place for 152 years, dating back to 1872. Ending the tradition, he warned, would bring significant hardship and unemployment to the region. “The public demands the restart of the Darbar Move, as it will boost the economy, tourism, and generate thousands of jobs for locals.”
Karra spoke passionately about the unity of the nation, recalling how India’s forefathers united the country under the principle of “unity in diversity,” transcending religious, regional, caste, and creed differences. “This principle of unity is the strength of our nation. Those who promote divisive slogans are weakening the fabric of our society,” he asserted.
The PCC Chief also condemned the actions of the Uttar Pradesh government, which recently prevented a delegation led by LOP Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi from meeting victim families in Sambhal in the interest of peace and communal harmony. “Rahul Ji’s motto has always been, ‘In a market of hatred, we must open a shop of love.’ Unfortunately, the ruling regime has fostered an atmosphere of division,” Karra said, adding, “It is our duty to bring compassion and love back into the public discourse.”
Karra concluded by emphasizing the Congress Party’s role as a unifying force, especially in the current atmosphere of “divide and rule.” “We must transcend caste, creed, color, religion, and region to bind the communities together,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Shabir Ahmed Khan, Th. Manmohan Singh, Rajinder Singh Kaka, Sanjeev Sharma, Vinod Khajuria, Bhupinder Singh Jamwal, Mohd Iqbal Dar, and Narinder Khajuria. (KNS)
