CM’s manhandling unfortunate incident in J&K history: Karra

J&K Cong to participate in ‘Delhi Chalo’ prog

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Terming manhandling of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and elected representatives by police on July 14 as an unfortunate incident in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra today said that restoration of Statehood to the Jammu and Kashmir was must to bring end to such issues resolve the dual control system of governance in the J&K.

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While addressing a crowded press conference at party office here today, Karra announced a series of protests, including the ‘ Delhi Chalo’ programme and to conduct “gherao” of Parliament as part of its intensified campaign for Statehood restoration.
PCC chief claimed that it was impossible to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood without its intervention, which has the support of 233 INDIA bloc members.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has decided that it will hold a protest at Srinagar on July 19 and in Jammu on July 20 so that our message on Statehood reaches the Government. After that, we have the ‘Delhi Chalo’ programme on July 21,” Karra said.
He explained that under the ‘Delhi Chalo’ campaign, workers from every block and district of Jammu and Kashmir will leave for Delhi on July 21 under the leadership of the Congress. On reaching the national capital, they and the INDIA bloc leaders would raise the issue on July 22 and conduct `Gherao’ of the Parliament.
“Our effort will be to hold protests in front of Parliament and conduct its Gherao symbolically. The goal is to raise our voice in Delhi so that it reaches all members of Parliament, among whom 233 are members of the INDIA bloc supporting our cause. This is a significant step,” JKPCC chief said.
Karra said the campaign would stretch from Kashmir to Delhi. “Alongside 233 INDIA bloc MPs, we will raise our voice in Parliament and on the streets. This marks the beginning of a significant movement from the Congress party.”
While reacting to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanking the Congress for raising the Statehood issue with the Centre, Karra said, “My party has led this struggle from the grassroots, not just through press statements or sitting in drawing rooms. Without the Congress’ intervention, restoring Statehood would be impossible.”
Responding to a question, Karra said the incident of manhandling of the Chief Minister by some policemen and some elected public representatives is the worst example of the ugly face of democracy in the Jammu and Kashmir. This is the unfortunate incident in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. Statehood for which the Congress party is fighting vigorously, is the answer to bring an end to such problems and the system of dual control in the Jammu and Kashmir.
On whether Congress plans to approach the Supreme Court on the issue, he said “We had earlier clarified this point: when the National Conference brought a bill on the issue in the Assembly, we said that since the Supreme Court has deemed the Government’s decision legal, for us, the achievable goal now is the restoration of Statehood.”
Responding to questions about restoring special status (Article 370), Karra reiterated Congress’s official stand on the issue and said, “After the Supreme Court upheld the Government’s move as legal, our focus shifted solely to Statehood restoration. We have consistently maintained this position.”
Criticising the powers given to the Lieutenant Governor under the Reorganisation Act, Karra said it has made the state governed under a dual-power setup.
He thanked Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for taking the lead in Parliament to raise Jammu and Kashmir’s concerns.
Senior party leaders  Raman Bhalla, Mula Ram, Ravinder Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan and others were also present.

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