The Indian National Congress has voiced strong criticism against the central government regarding the delayed restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The party alleges that the region’s populace is struggling under what it describes as a “dual control system” following the Assembly elections.
Tariq Hameed Karra, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress, addressed a workers’ convention in Jammu, asserting that the central government has failed to fulfill its promise of reinstating statehood. He claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not secure sufficient seats in the assembly polls to independently form a government. As per information available with TahirRihat.com, Karra accused the BJP of deliberately obstructing the restoration of statehood due to their inability to secure a governing majority in the region. Numerous senior party officials attended the convention, which was part of the Congress party’s “Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan,” a week-long commemoration of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s martyrdom anniversary.
Karra expressed concern over the perceived power vacuum, arguing that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are caught between two competing power centers, an arrangement he deems a negation of the people’s mandate. He elaborated that this “dual control system” has made the residents the primary victims, impacting their daily lives and overall governance.
The Congress party further contended that the districts within the Jammu region, including Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, and Reasi, have experienced adverse effects following the revocation of special status and the conversion of the former state into a Union Territory. According to Karra, the revocation has led to economic challenges and a sense of disenfranchisement among the local population.
Karra claimed that local youth are being denied employment opportunities because of the recruitment of individuals from outside the region. Additionally, he alleged the exploitation of land and natural resources, including sand, bajri, and forest produce, at the expense of local residents. The Congress party views these issues as critical threats to the region’s socio-economic fabric.
The Congress party is actively campaigning for the restoration of statehood through its initiatives “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” and “Ghar Ghar Dastak, Har Ghar Dastak,” aiming to reconnect with the local populace and address their grievances. Karra emphasized that regaining statehood is essential for restoring the democratic rights of the people, which he believes have been eroded under the current administrative structure.
In addition to advocating for statehood, Karra stressed the importance of strengthening the party’s organizational structure at the grassroots level. He called for the appointment of booth agents and committees to reinforce the Congress party’s presence and effectiveness at the local level. This strategic move is aimed at mobilizing support and ensuring better representation of the people’s concerns.
Raman Bhalla, working president, addressed the gathering, accusing the BJP of employing “politics of hate and communalism” and of targeting specific sections of society to consolidate their vote bank. He asserted that the Congress party stands for secular and inclusive policies designed to maintain social harmony and peace, contrasting it with the BJP’s alleged divisive tactics. Bhalla also voiced concerns over the rising drug and liquor mafia activities in Jammu, claiming that unemployed youth are increasingly falling victim to drug abuse. He attributed this rise to the lack of job opportunities and the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the region.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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