Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Aug 3: In an apparent reference to the ruling National Conference (NC), J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra today said that the party’s movement for the restoration of Statehood must not be “politicized” or reduced to a matter of “ego.”
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Speaking to reporters after attending a public outreach program under the party’s “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” campaign in Shalteng, Karra called for unity and also urged for a collective demand for the restoration of Statehood.
“If anyone feels that they are being left out, we urge them to come and lead us-we will follow them. This is about the future of 1 crore 40 lakh people of J&K. It’s about bringing people out of the current state of affairs. It should not be made a matter of ego,” he said, without naming anyone.
The NC and Congress are alliance partners in J&K; however, the Congress is not currently part of the recently elected Government.
Karra extended the invitation to all those who, he said, realize the importance of “reclaiming J&K’s identity” and are willing to “make sacrifices”-whether they are political parties or individuals.
“We are again inviting everyone to come and participate. This movement should not be politicized, as that would be an injustice to the people of J&K,” he said.
“We have issues with Delhi, but we must stand united, and that is what we are calling for,” Karra added.
Notably, regarding the Congress party’s Statehood restoration campaign-which also included a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier stated that no one had “approached” them for support.
While addressing participants of the outreach program, Karra said that Statehood is the right of the people of J&K, “not a favour.”
“Our jobs, land, natural resources, and cultural identity are our rights, which cannot be compromised under any circumstances.”
Karra asserted that the Congress party, under the leadership of its President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, is committed to ensuring the restoration of Statehood to J&K, along with the dignity and honour of its people.
“It is the Congress alone that stands as a guarantee for the protection of public rights,” he said.
He added that the Congress will not be “cowed down” by the challenges or the “malicious propaganda unleashed by the BJP and its proxies aiming to divert people’s attention from the Statehood campaign.”
He further said that the party has issued an outreach calendar from August 1 to 4, and the meeting held at Shalteng was part of that effort to convey the campaign’s motive and gather feedback.
“People are beginning to realize that they must rise to claim their rightful rights-and we can clearly see that happening,” he said.
Karra noted that August 5 will mark six years since J&K’s powers, rights, and identity were taken away.
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