Congress To Join NC’s July 20 Statehood Protest In Delhi, Says JKPCC Chief Tariq Karra

Jammu, Jul 17: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra on Friday announced that the Congress will participate in the National Conference’s proposed July 20 protest in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Karra said the National Conference has invited senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to join the demonstration. He added that the extent of participation by the party’s central leadership would be decided by the Congress high command. Describing statehood as an issue that reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Karra said the movement is above political affiliations and welcomed the participation of all individuals, organisations and political parties. He asserted that the campaign for the restoration of statehood was originally initiated by the Congress and said the party would continue to intensify its efforts if the Centre failed to fulfil its commitment. Karra also revealed that the Congress is planning a march from Lakhanpur to Lolab to press for the restoration of statehood. He said the proposal had been discussed with Rahul Gandhi, and the party would finalise the logistics if the Centre does not act. Responding to remarks by senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz on Article 370, Karra reiterated that the party had already distanced itself from the statement, saying Soz’s views were personal and did not reflect the official stand of the Congress. Targeting the BJP, Karra alleged that the ruling party had failed to honour its commitments regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional and political status, and vowed to continue the agitation until statehood is restored.