The Jammu and Kashmir Congress intensified its campaign for the restoration of statehood on Sunday, with authorities detaining dozens of party leaders and workers as police prevented their march towards the Lieutenant Governor’s residence in Jammu. The protesters, who were attempting to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu via the Lieutenant Governor, were taken into preventive custody after a brief scuffle at police barricades. The detentions occurred as a heavy police presence was deployed at key locations, including Jewel Chowk and Vinayak Bazar, to block the procession from reaching Lok Bhavan.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the protest commenced with a sit-in at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, drawing participation from Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC general secretary GA Mir, working president Raman Bhalla, former ministers, ex-legislators, and hundreds of party members from across Jammu and Kashmir. Waving placards and chanting slogans such as “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” (Our State, Our Right), the demonstrators proceeded towards Lok Bhavan, unequivocally demanding the immediate reinstatement of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
During the gathering, Tariq Hameed Karra voiced strong accusations against the central government, alleging a deliberate delay in fulfilling repeated assurances regarding the restoration of statehood. (According to The Tribune India, Karra stated, “The Congress has been campaigning for the restoration of statehood for nearly two years through district-level programmes, hunger strikes and campaigns under the slogans ‘Chalo Srinagar’, ‘Chalo Jammu’ and ‘Chalo Delhi’. We will continue this struggle until statehood is restored.”) He further elaborated on the party’s stance, indicating that the Congress had resolved not to join any elected government formed on October 16, 2024, unless statehood was first restored. (The Tribune India reported Karra as saying, “On that day, the Congress made it clear that it would not become part of the government but would continue fighting for statehood.”)
Announcing the subsequent phase of their agitation, Karra outlined plans for another series of district-level programs. The party is also contemplating a significant long march, intending to traverse from Lakhanpur in Kathua to Lolab in north Kashmir, with the objective of galvanizing public support for their demand. Karra also indicated that he and GA Mir would travel to New Delhi to participate in the National Conference’s protest scheduled at Jantar Mantar on Monday, with the Congress’s central leadership set to determine the involvement of other party leaders. In addition to the statehood demand, Karra urged the government to announce a comprehensive rehabilitation package for families impacted by the recent flash floods in Poonch and Rajouri, highlighting the extensive loss of life and property caused by the disaster.
GA Mir, addressing the assembled crowd, commended the leadership and workers of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress for their persistent efforts in sustaining the statehood campaign, characterizing the demand as having evolved into a popular movement. He remarked that the populace had cast their votes in large numbers during the Assembly elections, placing faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance that statehood would be reinstated following delimitation and elections. (The Tribune India quoted Mir as saying, “Nearly two years have passed, but there has been no indication from the Centre on fulfilling that commitment.”) Mir expressed support for the National Conference’s protest in Delhi, asserting that any platform that bolstered the demand for statehood merited backing, given its significance for all residents of Jammu and Kashmir. However, he alleged that the BJP’s planned protest in Srinagar appeared to be a tactic to divert attention from the core issue of statehood.
Working president Raman Bhalla emphasized that the Congress’s sustained activism had elevated the restoration of statehood to the primary concern of every citizen in Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the BJP of disrespecting Maharaja Hari Singh through the downgrading and bifurcation of the former state, and affirmed the Congress’s commitment to continuing its peaceful protests until the demand for full statehood was met. The police later released the detained leaders and workers.
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.
Leave a Reply