Jammu, Jan 30: Tariq Hameed Karra, the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), expressed on Thursday that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill are components of efforts aimed at fostering division and animosity among the populace of the nation.
He also cast doubt on whether the upcoming Union budget would offer any relief to people suffering from escalating unemployment and rampant inflation that has plagued the nation over the last decade of BJP governance at the Centre.
While addressing reporters after leading a prayer meeting to honor Mahatma Gandhi on his martyrdom anniversary at the party headquarters, Karra emphasized that the nation must unite to liberate itself from those propagating hatred for political gain.
“In my view, both the UCC and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill are intertwined with the ongoing campaign of animosity being disseminated throughout the country. These initiatives reflect their agenda to instigate chaos,” Karra stated when questioned about the UCC’s implementation in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand and the parliamentary committee rejecting every amendment proposed by opposition members.
He charged that there is a continuous effort against all minorities—not just Muslims, but also Dalits, Christians, and others—aimed at isolating them under a policy of hate.
“It is astonishing that the BJP leadership claims that Hindus are in danger in a nation with a population of 140 crore, where Muslims number only 17 crore. The idea that a minority could threaten the majority reveals their weakness and unveils their sinister plans. This aligns with the same malicious agenda initiated by their party founders a century ago,” he remarked.
Karra noted that their slogan ‘Abhi nahi toh kabhi nahi’ (If not now, then never) is a rallying cry for spreading hatred. “Previously, it was Khelo (play) India, but now they have transformed it into Khodo (dig) India, implementing measures to secure their power,” he added. He asserted that the nation’s people are beginning to recognize their tactics and support ‘Ganga–Jamuni Tehzeeb’.
When asked about his perspective on the forthcoming Union Budget, he expressed that previous budgets of the BJP-led NDA have proven to be a “flop show”. Thus, he stated, there’s little reason to expect a miracle budget that could effectively tackle GDP, inflation, unemployment, and the decline in education and health sectors.
In tribute to Gandhi, Karra stated that his assassination on this day in 1948 by Nathuram Godse was not merely the murder of an individual but an attack on humanity and the Gandhian ideology revered by his supporters worldwide.
“We must promote Gandhian and Nehruvian philosophies and counter the ideologies of figures like M.S. Golwalkar, V.D. Savarkar, and Godse. The country achieved independence in 1947, but we must unite again to liberate ourselves from those who foster hatred,” he remarked, noting that the RSS and BJP have consistently failed to condemn Godse for Gandhi’s murder, with claims that a temple was erected in his honor after the BJP assumed power.
Karra asserted that those who sow discord are not true well-wishers of the nation; they do this solely to maintain power, as evidenced by the failures of their economic and foreign policies.
“Simply constructing roads will not earn a nation global respect. Donald Trump made this clear,” he claimed, alleging that the new US president did not invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his recent inauguration. (Agencies)
