Karra: Oath Ceremony Should Have Occurred in J&K as State, Not UT

Srinagar, Oct 14: Tariq Hameed Karra, the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), emphasized that restoring Statehood is the primary objective of his party. Speaking to reporters after paying his respects at the shrine of Sheikh ul Aalam, Sheikh Noor ud Din Noorani (RA), in Chrar-e-Sharief, Karra expressed disappointment that the upcoming government’s oath-taking ceremony is set to occur under the Union Territory status rather than as a fully recognized State.

“We need to be practical and avoid misleading the public. The initial step in our journey is the restoration of Statehood, and everything else will follow suit,” he stated. “It is essential not to skip vital steps in the process; we must adopt a methodical approach.”

Reiterating that Statehood remains the most pressing issue for the Congress-National Conference alliance, Karra highlighted their commitment to restoring the rights and constitutional guarantees for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “This government signifies the dawn of a new struggle. The most significant concerns are Statehood and restoring rights related to land and employment. Achieving these goals will require considerable effort,” he added.

Karra stressed that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government should have taken place in J&K as a State, reinforcing his belief that young people are currently facing immense unemployment challenges. “It is crucial for the government to create dignified job opportunities, as these will be the pressing challenges ahead,” he remarked.

He also took the opportunity to criticize the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for continuing to issue orders even in the presence of elected representatives. “I find this approach illogical. It is the elected government’s responsibility to make decisions, not the administration’s,” Karra stated, underlining the importance of respecting the will of the electorate.

Looking ahead, Karra indicated that the new government would review several “anti-people” laws enacted by the LG administration during the past six years of President’s rule. Expressing optimism for the future, he said, “In the coming days, we will witness the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected representatives, marking a significant shift in governance for Jammu and Kashmir.”