6th anniversary of downgrading of J&K state
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Aug 5: Congress party today observed black day on the 6th anniversary of the downgrading of the J&K State into Union Territory and held strong protest demonstrations and dharnas at Jammu and Srinagar and all district headquarters to press for early restoration of full Statehood to the Jammu and Kashmir.
Congress which is spearheading the movement for the restoration of Statehood “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq” for the past over eight months, today observed black day, on 6th anniversary of downgrading of the historical J&K state and held impressive protest demonstrations in Jammu and Srinagar.
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JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra led the protest demonstration in Srinagar in front of party office, as headquarters were locked from outside by police, while in Jammu, protest dharna was held in front of the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh near Tawi Bridge, besides at all the districts headquarters across UT, to press for early restoration of Statehood.
Led by working president Raman Bhalla along with former MP/Ministers Ch Lal Singh, Mula Ram, Yogesh Sawhney, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, AICC secretary Shah Nawaz Chaudhary, Rajnish Sharma, DDC presidents Manmohan Singh, Th Hari Singh Chib, Ex-Legislators, senior functionaries, Ex-corporators, frontal heads and contested candidates including TS Tony, Satish Sharma, Pawan Raina, Shashi Sharma, Suresh Dogra, Vijay Sharma (Seva Dal), Anuradha Sharma, Parveen Akhtar, Ashok Bhagat, Dwarka Choudhary, Zahida Khan and several others took part in the protest.
The protesters held strong protest demonstration bearing black badges, raising slogans against Centre Government and BJP for downgrading historical Dogra state on this day and non-restoration of statehood despite repeated promises and directions of Supreme Court over one and half years back.
The protesters raised slogans in the memories of Maharaja Hari Singh and garlanded his statue while invoking his legacy to demand restoration of full State to J&K UT.
Speaking to media-persons Raman Bhalla lashed out at BJP govt at the Centre for the betrayal of the people despite repeated promises for early restoration of Statehood to J&K.
Six years ago, BJP snatched Statehood from people and promised early restoration but today is sixth anniversary and Statehood has not been restored despite Supreme Court directions.
Congress shall intensify struggle for restoration of complete Statehood and ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ movement shall continue till we achieve the goal of full Statehood.
Former Minister Mula Ram said that Statehood is the right of people of J&K and its snatching is arbitrary and undemocratic against which our leadership has always raised voice and we shall continue our struggle.
Ch Lal Singh lashed out BJP for its authoritarian style at the Centre and said Statehood is our basic right. BJP has destroyed the dogra identity, status and dignity and insulted dogra rulers, he said, adding our land, jobs & resources are being looted ruthlessly.
Protest dharnas were also held all across different districts of Jammu region and slogans were raised against Centre and BJP, seeking restoration of statehood to J&K.
Senior PCC leaders were deputed by the party to coordinate the protests in districts also attended.
At Kathua an impressive protest dharna was held by the District Congress Committee under the leadership of Pankaj Dogra, which was led by senior Congress leader and former MLA Th Balwan Singh and attended by senior leaders of the district.
At Samba, protest was organized by DCC president Samba which was led by Indu Pawar (Ex-MLA) and attended by Yash Pal Kundal (Ex-Minister), Babal Gupta, Vinod Kumar, Kumer Singh and others.
At Kishtwar protest dharna was led by former MLC and senior PCC leader Naresh Gupta which was organised by DCC Kishtwar under presidentship of Asif Naqeeb and attended by Pyare Lal Shan, Firdous Mingnoo, Sheikh Irshad, Naved Kichloo, Sheikh Zafferullah and several others.
At Poonch senior Congress leader former Chairman Legislative Council Jahangir Mir led a protest alongwith district president Rajinder Singh Kaka, Taj Mir, Faiz Diwan and other senior leaders.
At Udhampur, senior Congress leader and former MLA Th Balbir Singh alongwith DCC president Udhampur Vinod Khajuria, Sumit Magotra and others held a protest and sit- in dharna.
At Doda, the sit-in dharna was organized by DCC president Sheikh Mujeeb, led by Dina Nath Bhagat (Ex-MLA) and attended by Sham Lal Bhagat (Ex-MLC), Javed Lone, Mudasar Wani, Swarn Veer Singh, Mohd Shafiq and others.
At Ramban, sit-in dharna and protest was organized by DCC president Pravez Wani, led by Ashok Dogra(ExMLA), attendeed by Farooq Katoch, Khalid Wani , Pradeep Singh and others.
OBC wing of J&K Congress led by its Chairman M L Chalotra also held protest demonstration in Jammu demanding full Statehood.
Similar protests were held at Rajouri, Reasi and other districts of Kashmir.
Jammu Province Bachao Manch led by Ex-MLA Ashok Sharma and many others held protest demonstration at Ambphalla Chowk in Jammu demanded restoration of Statehood to J&K. Senior leaders Ch Gharu Ram and Kuldeep Sharma also accompanied.
Mission Statehood, J&K led by its president Sunil Dimple also took out protest rally from High Court Chowk at Janipur, demanding Statehood for J&K. The rally culminated at Maharaja Hari Singh Park.
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