Stopped again from meeting Katra protestors, says Bhalla

Jammu, Dec 28: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla on Saturday said he was stopped on his way to Katra for the second time in three days.
Bhalla, accompanied by senior Congress leaders, said he was heading to meet the protestors arrested for peacefully demonstrating against the proposed construction of a ropeway at the revered shrine in Katra. “My convoy was intercepted at Domail by security forces, which halted my attempt to engage with the aggrieved individuals,” he said in a statement issued here.
The former minister said heavy force was deployed at Domail to stop his cavalcade to reach Katra. “This incident follows an earlier confrontation two days ago when Bhalla was similarly barred at the Ban Toll Plaza while attempting to reach Katra. The repeated prevention of a senior political leader from meeting peacefully protesting citizens has raised significant concerns about the state of democratic rights in Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement said.
Speaking about the incident, Bhalla said he sought to bridge this gap by meeting the detained protestors and understanding their concerns. He expressed deep anguish over being denied the opportunity to fulfill what he called his “democratic duty”.
“As the Working President of a national party, it is my right to meet and understand the grievances of the people,” he said. Bhalla said holding peaceful protests is a fundamental democratic right enshrined in the Constitution, adding that no authority has the mandate to curtail this liberty.
He criticized the administration’s “confrontational approach”, urging them to address the concerns of the protestors rather than stifling their voices. “Instead of creating barriers, the authorities should initiate a dialogue with the residents of Katra to resolve this issue amicably,” he suggested.
The Congress leader reiterated the need for the administration to move away from confrontation and adopt a collaborative approach. “Peaceful protest is not a threat but an essential component of a healthy democracy. The grievances of the people of Katra deserve to be heard and addressed through constructive dialogue,” he argued. “Dialogue is the cornerstone of democracy. The authorities must engage with the protestors and address their concerns rather than silencing them.”
The protests in Katra have revolved around the controversial decision to construct a ropeway in the vicinity of the holy shrine. While authorities argue that the project will enhance connectivity and boost tourism, many locals and devotees have expressed concerns over its potential impact on the sanctity of the shrine and the livelihoods of the residents.