SRINAGAR: Dozens of Congress leaders, including the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra and AICC general secretary GA Mir, were detained by police in Jammu on Sunday. The detentions occurred as the leaders attempted to march towards the Lieutenant Governor’s residence to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, advocating for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chenab Times has learned that the protest was staged a day before the National Conference’s scheduled demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which also aims to press for the same demand. The Congress party has stated its intention to intensify its campaign until full Statehood is restored.
Hundreds of Congress workers had gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in the heart of Jammu for a peaceful sit-in. During the gathering, participants raised slogans in support of Statehood and accused the central government of failing to uphold its promise to reinstate Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-August 2019 status following the Assembly elections.
Following the assembly, the protesters embarked on a march towards Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, with the intention of delivering a memorandum for onward transmission to the President of India. However, police personnel erected barricades at Jewel Chowk, effectively blocking the procession.
A brief scuffle ensued when Congress workers attempted to breach the barricades. Subsequently, police detained several activists and senior leaders, including Mr. Karra, Mr. Mir, working president Raman Bhalla, former ministers, former legislators, and other party functionaries.
Addressing reporters prior to the march, Mr. Karra outlined the Congress party’s sustained campaign for the restoration of Statehood, which has spanned nearly two years and included district-level programmes, hunger strikes, and mass campaigns under slogans such as “Chalo Srinagar,” “Chalo Jammu,” and “Chalo Delhi.” He explained that Sunday’s memorandum was intended to directly convey the aspirations of the people to President Murmu via the Lieutenant Governor.
Announcing a planned escalation of the agitation, Mr. Karra indicated that the party would soon initiate a second phase of district-level programmes. He also revealed that the party was considering a long march from Lakhanpur in Kathua to Lolab in north Kashmir to galvanise public opinion in favour of Statehood restoration.
Regarding the National Conference’s protest slated for Monday in New Delhi, Mr. Karra stated that he and Mr. G. A. Mir would travel to the capital. He added that the Congress high command would determine the participation of other party leaders.
Mr. Karra also urged the government to announce a comprehensive rehabilitation package for families affected by the recent flash floods in Poonch and Rajouri districts. He highlighted that the calamity had resulted in extensive damage to lives, homes, and public infrastructure.
Mr. Mir reiterated the sentiment that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had voted enthusiastically in the Assembly elections after receiving assurances from the Prime Minister regarding the restoration of Statehood post-delimitation and elections. He expressed concern that nearly two years had passed without any indication from the Centre about fulfilling this commitment.
Mr. Mir further stated that the Congress had consistently pursued the “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” (Our State, Our Right) campaign across Jammu and Kashmir, in New Delhi, and within Parliament, thereby keeping the issue of Statehood in public discourse. He welcomed the National Conference’s planned protest, asserting that any platform raising the demand for Statehood deserved support as it represented the collective aspirations of the people.
However, Mr. Mir alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to organise protests in Srinagar on the same day appeared to be an effort to dilute or divert attention from the Statehood demonstration scheduled for Jantar Mantar.
Former minister G M Saroori emphasized the restoration of Statehood as a critical step towards safeguarding the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people. He affirmed the Congress party’s commitment to continuing its peaceful movement until the demand is met.
Working president Raman Bhalla stated that the Statehood movement had evolved into the voice of every citizen due to the Congress party’s persistent efforts. He accused the BJP of disrespecting Maharaja Hari Singh by fragmenting and downgrading the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Former MP Choudhary Lal Singh also pledged to continue the struggle for Statehood restoration, asserting that the downgrade of Jammu and Kashmir to a Union Territory was enacted against the will of its populace. The Congress demonstration marks a significant escalation in the political campaign for Statehood, as opposition parties intensify their coordinated protests, increasing pressure on the central government.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
