The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Saturday launched its mass outreach campaign “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq” from Chawalgam in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, reiterating its demand for immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir with constitutional safeguards.
Presiding over a day-long political convention, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra as per JKPCC statement issued to news agency KINS, strongly criticized the BJP-led Central Government for the prolonged delay in restoring statehood, calling it a “deliberate move to keep the people away from their democratic rights.”
“The delay is unjustified, especially after commitments were made on the floor of Parliament and directions from the Supreme Court. Congress will intensify its campaign across Kashmir and won’t rest until full statehood is restored,” Karra asserted.
Taking a sharp dig at the J&K unit of the BJP, Karra questioned their silence on the issue. “Are they even interested in the restoration of statehood If yes, why don’t they raise their voice publicly or pressurize their central leadership? Their silence is complicated,” he said.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam attack, Karra expressed deep anguish over the killing of innocent tourists, calling it a “grim reminder of the Centre’s failure to ensure security.” He also slammed the Centre’s foreign policy, especially in the backdrop of the incident. “Despite the Prime Minister’s repeated foreign visits, India’s global support was missing during the conflict. The US intervention violates the Shimla Agreement, raising serious questions about our foreign policy,” Karra stated.
Addressing the convention, CLP Leader and AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the Congress is committed to restoring the dignity, rights, and constitutional guarantees of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “BJP’s divisive and misleading politics has cost J&K heavily — socially, politically, and emotionally. Congress will continue to fight for justice, equality, and full statehood,” Mir said.
Former MLA Mohd Amin Bhat, senior leaders Abdul Raheem Rather, Abdul Rashid Lone (DCC President), and other prominent party functionaries also addressed the gathering, vowing to intensify public outreach and grassroots mobilization across the region.
Among others present were GSO Abid Kashmiri, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Zaffar Salati, Mohd Iqbal Mir, Ali Mohd Mantoo, Danish Khan, Er. Rouf Ganie, DYC Working President Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Syed Muneeb, Media Incharge Azizullah Khan, Block President Sartaj Ahmad, and other senior Congress leaders.
The convention marked the beginning of a fresh political mobilization campaign by Congress across Kashmir, aimed at restoring democratic rights and addressing long-standing public grievances.(KINS)
