Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 23: Asserting that the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir are enduring significant hardships due to the lack of authority with the elected Government, JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra challenged the BJP to clarify if their pledge to restore Statehood was merely another ‘Jumla’ from the Modi Government.
Speaking at a workers’ convention in the Muthi region of Jammu today, Karra criticized the local BJP for its indifference towards the pressing demand of the populace in Jammu & Kashmir by the Central Government, questioning whether this was just another unfulfilled ‘Jumla’ from the Modi Government.
Karra emphasized that the Congress party would persist in pressing the Central Government to honor its commitment to restore Statehood, made in Parliament, promised to the Supreme Court, and pledged to the people of J&K during recent Assembly elections. It is particularly astounding to see the local BJP members and MLAs remain silent after receiving a significant mandate from the public. Is this not indicative of continued deceit by the Centre regarding the fundamental rights of the people?
Karra mentioned that the people of J&K are suffering due to the absence of power among the elected Government, highlighting that numerous groups such as unemployed youth, daily laborers, contractual, adhoc, consolidated temporary, and NHM employees, Anganwadi, Asha workers, and SPOs are awaiting justice from the Government.
He stated that Dogras are among those most affected, facing a loss of identity, dignity, and rights to safeguard their lands, jobs, and natural resources, which are being exploited by influential outsiders, along with an invasion of their Dogra culture, language, and harmonious coexistence.
Karra noted that Congress has a rich history of sacrifices both before and after independence, with two of its Prime Ministers sacrificing their lives, while the BJP has a legacy of being a “Mafinama” Party that now seeks validation of nationalism from Congress.
During the gathering, Tara Chand emphasized Congress’s role in uniting the masses and uplifting the marginalized, stating that Dalits have achieved key positions in Government and services due to constitutional reservations while urging for the protection of the Constitution.
Raman Bhalla highlighted the substantial development during the decade of UPA rule and the coalition Government in the State, lamenting the arbitrary deprivation of identity and rights by the Modi Government, which continues to mislead the people of Jammu Kashmir.
This convention was organized by DCC Rural under the leadership of Th Hari Singh Chib and was attended by working presidents Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla, along with Ch Lal Singh, AICC secretary Neeraj Kundan, IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib, Mula Ram, Balwan Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MLA, Iftikhar Ahmed, Rajnish Sharma, Shashi Sharma, TS Tony, Gurdarshan Singh, Balbir Singh, IYC general secretary Man Singh, Suresh Dogra, Narinder Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Bhushan Dogra, Ashok Bhagat, Ajay Lakhotra, Sanjeev Panda, Neeraj Gupta, Madan Lal Chalotra, Rajiv Saraf, Kapil Singh, Rajni Bala, and others.
