Dozens of Congress leaders and activists were detained by police on Sunday as authorities prevented them from marching to the Lok Bhavan in Jammu to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. The memorandum was intended to express support for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The march, led by Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra, was scheduled to take place a day before the National Conference’s planned demonstration in Delhi for the same demand.
Prior to the march, hundreds of Congress workers had gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in the heart of Jammu, staging a peaceful sit-in and raising slogans in favor of restoring statehood. Police erected barricades at Jewel Chowk, effectively halting the procession of Congress workers who were attempting to reach Lok Bhavan to deliver their memorandum. Officials reported a brief scuffle when protesters tried to push past the barricades.
Among those detained were Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC general secretary G A Mir, working president Raman Bhalla, and several former ministers and legislators, according to official statements. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the detentions were carried out to maintain public order and prevent any disruption to scheduled administrative activities.
Addressing reporters before the march, Karra stated that the Congress party has been actively campaigning for the restoration of statehood for approximately two years. He outlined the party’s efforts, which have included district-level programs, hunger strikes, and campaigns across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, under slogans such as “Chalo Srinagar,” “Chalo Jammu,” and “Chalo Delhi.” Karra explained that the memorandum was meant to be submitted at the lieutenant governor’s residence for onward transmission to the President of India.
Karra also announced plans to intensify the party’s agitation with a second phase of district-level programs. He indicated that the Congress was considering organizing a long march from Lakhanpur in Kathua district to Lolab in north Kashmir as part of their ongoing campaign. Regarding the National Conference’s protest scheduled for the following day in Delhi, Karra mentioned that he and G A Mir were traveling to the capital, and the party’s central leadership would determine which other leaders would participate.
In addition to the statehood demand, Karra urged the government to announce a comprehensive rehabilitation package for individuals affected by the recent flash floods in the Poonch and Rajouri districts. He highlighted the extensive loss of life and property caused by the disaster, emphasizing the need for immediate government assistance. The Congress leader’s remarks underscored the party’s multi-faceted approach to addressing pressing issues in the region.
G A Mir, speaking on the statehood issue, recalled the large voter turnout in the Assembly elections, which he attributed to the Prime Minister’s assurance that statehood would be reinstated following the delimitation process and elections. Mir expressed disappointment that nearly two years have passed without any concrete indication from the central government regarding the fulfillment of this commitment. He reiterated that the Congress has been leading the “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” (Our State, Our Right) campaign for the past two years, consistently raising the issue in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Parliament.
Mir welcomed the National Conference’s protest in Delhi, stating that the Congress supports any platform that strengthens the demand for statehood, as it is a matter of concern for all residents of Jammu and Kashmir. However, he also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to hold protests in Srinagar on the same day appeared to be an attempt to undermine the Delhi protest advocating for statehood. This accusation suggests a political dimension to the ongoing debate over Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status.
Former minister G M Saroori emphasized that the restoration of statehood is crucial for safeguarding the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to continuing its peaceful agitation until their demand is met. Saroori’s statement reinforced the party’s resolve to pursue the statehood agenda through sustained peaceful protests and advocacy.
The events of Sunday highlight the persistent demand for the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, with political parties employing various methods of protest and advocacy. The detentions of Congress leaders underscore the sensitivity of the issue and the authorities’ approach to managing public demonstrations. The ongoing political discourse surrounding statehood is expected to continue, with further actions planned by various political groups in the coming days.
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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