Cong pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Aug 20: J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Tariq Hameed Karra today claimed that under the BJP, India is turning into an “autocracy” from a democracy.
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters Srinagar after paying tribute to former PM Late Rajiv Gandhi, Karra said the J&K Reorganization Amendment Bill-2025, along with two other bills tabled in Parliament, showcased the “authoritarian character” of the Government.
“Instead of strengthening the States and restoring Statehood to J&K, they have putforth an authoritarian attitude before the world, under which they want Chief Ministers and Ministers to simply toe the line. Bills showcase the authoritarian character,” he said.
Karra said the move applies not only to J&K but to the entire country, tightening the noose around Chief Ministers and Ministers.
He added that instead of fulfilling the wishes and aspirations of the people of J&K-who, he said, have been struggling for the restoration of their rights and dignity-the Government continues to display a “hostile mindset” towards them.
The rights of J&K were snatched, and they played with the identity and guarantees of J&K. People are struggling for their rights, but instead of addressing their aspirations, they have once again revealed their mindset,” he said.
Karra reiterated that he has been warning time and again that India is moving towards autocracy, arguing that the BJP’s mindset “goes against” the principles of democracy.
“The country is plunging into autocracy, and one of its ingredients is what they did yesterday-showing a hegemonial attitude. This mindset tarnishes the very principles of democracy,” he said.
He added that democracy is being replaced by autocracy and today, it exists “only in name.”
Stressing that the BJP has failed on every front, Karra said whatever it is doing is driven by “fear” and aimed at diverting people’s attention from real issues.
“There is fear in their minds. They are even afraid of their own shadows. Their foreign policy and internal security have failed, including their J&K policy. Fear is driving them to do such things,” he said.
Earlier, Karra along with Peerzada Mohd Sayed, Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, MLA Nizam Ud Din Bhat, former Minister Taj Mohi Ud Din, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Surinder Singh Channi, Mohd Amin Bhat, Abdul Raheem Rather, Nissar Ahmad Mundoo, and various other leaders paid floral tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary, terming him a revolutionary leader, apostle of peace harmony and brotherhood.
Karra recalled the achievements of Late Gandhi including revolution in IT, Panchayat Raj system, women empowerment, voting rights to 18 years of age, self-reliance in defense, communication and quality education.
A similar tribute function was held at Omoh Verinag in district Anantnag under the chairmanship of AICC general secretary and CLP leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, in which floral tribute were paid to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. On this occasion Mir said Rajiv’s dream was to see India one of the superpowers of the world. He worked very hard to convert the country into fast developing country in terms of growth, economy, quality education, development at grassroots through Panchayat Raj system, IT revolution etc.
In Jammu, Congress also remembered the contribution of Bharat Ratana Rajiv Gandhi, on his 81st birth anniversary by holding several functions at different places across the province. The main function in this connection was held at PCC headquarters Jammu, which was presided over by working president of JKPCC, Raman Bhalla and attended by senior PCC functionaries, leaders of District Congress Committee, Blocks and Frontal organizations.
While paying floral tribute to Late Gandhi, Bhalla described him as the architect of 21st century, who prepared the youth of the country for the challenges of 21st century in India, especially IT and Computer revolution, lowering of voting age from 21 years to 18 years and introduced a vibrant Panchayat Raj system in the country. He said that 73rd /74th amendment was introduced and incorporated into the Panchyats & Urban bodies to establish elected three tier system in the J&K by the efforts of Congress in the previous coalition of NC-Congress in 2014.
Prominent leaders who paid tribute includes Gurmukh Singh, Yogesh Sawney, Yash Pal Kundal, Ved Mahajan, Rajnish Sharma, Manmohan Singh, Zahida Khan, Shashi Sharma, Suresh Dogra, Thomas Khokher, Kapil Singh, Neeraj Gupta, Sanjeev Panda, Dwarka Choudhary, ML Chalotra, Ajay Lakhotra, Dr RK Khajuria, KK Jogi, Anirudh Sawhney and others.
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