Jammu, Aug 1, 2025: As part of the intensification of its statehood ‘movement—’Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq ‘the Congress today launched outreach campaign ” Chai – pe- Charcha/ Chourahe- pe- Charcha’ in Jammu city and several other districts of the region.
A team of Senior leaders of Congress led by Working President Raman Bhalla accompanied by Former minister Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan, Ex MLC, DCC President Jammu Urban Th Manmohan Singh, DDC Sdr Taranjit singh Tony, Amrit Bali, Satish Sharma, Dwarka Choudhary, Vijatly Malhotra, Neeraj Gupta, Sanjeev Sharma, Vijay Shashtri, Sonu Dogra, Sohit Sharma, Jatinder Bharat, Nasir Masih , Pardip Bhalla, Vijay Khajuria, Satish Sharma, Vijay Khajuria, Latish Sharma, Rajinder Singh Randhawa, Atul Sharma & ors. Today met the taxi union leaders at Dak Bungalow premises, Residency Road, Jammu, and discussed the issue of movement for the restoration of statehood to J&K as promised on multiple occasions in the past six years.
Intensifying the Congress party’s campaign for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former Minister Raman Bhalla conducted a wide-ranging public outreach programme in Jammu city. Interacting with people from diverse sections of society at Residence Road and adjoining areas, Bhalla strongly asserted that the continued denial of statehood to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a direct affront to the Constitution and democratic principles of India.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not asking for any privilege—they are demanding what is rightfully and constitutionally theirs,” Bhalla said, while addressing residents, civil society members, and local traders. “Statehood is not a favour—it is a fundamental democratic right. Stripping it away was undemocratic, and continuing to withhold it is unconstitutional.”
Bhalla said the people are growing increasingly restless under direct Central rule, which has failed to address day-to-day concerns and local aspirations.
“The absence of a representative and accountable government has created a deep governance vacuum. Bureaucratic control has alienated the people further. There is no one to listen to their grievances, and critical developmental and welfare schemes are stuck in inertia,” he added.
The Congress leader emphasized that his party has always stood for empowering the people of Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring that their voices are heard and respected. He said the ongoing outreach campaign by the Congress is aimed at educating the masses, building public opinion, and creating a united front across regions and communities to demand the immediate restoration of full statehood.
Bhalla also took the opportunity to highlight the growing public dissatisfaction with the lack of local representation and the unfulfilled promises made by the BJP-led government. “For six years, we have heard nothing but rhetoric. People want jobs, development, dignity, and the right to elect their own government. We will not rest until Jammu and Kashmir is given back its statehood,” he declared.
As part of the programme, Bhalla visited multiple neighborhoods, held corner meetings, and engaged with shopkeepers, youth, women, and senior citizens.
He urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the youth, to rise above political divides and come together in a democratic struggle to reclaim their rights. “This is not just a political fight—it is a people’s movement for justice, identity, and dignity,” he said.
Bhalla said that restoration of statehood is very essential for every citizen of J&K as without it ,the elected government can’t deliver to the people and the dual control system is a fraud with democracy. The BJP has failed to get mandate to rule and People gave mandate to NC- Congress coalition to rule but BJP is controlling the system from Delhi through Lt Governor.
This is a great deception with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and a mass movement has to be built to get back statehood as its downgrading completes six years on Aug 5,despite false promises and announcements to restore at the earliest.
Other senior leaders also expressed their views and asked the civil society to support and join the movement.
Similar out reach programmes were held in different Districts and blocks in the province besides in various parts of Kashmir valley and shall continue to mobilize public for the sit in dharna on 5th August throughout the length and breadth of UT.
The Senior Congress leaders apprised the people at various places that Congress party is organizing a sit in dharna cum black day on August 5, 2025, when the downgrading of the J&K state shall complete six years and urged them to support the movement in their way to get back our status and rights of full state.
President of the Union Shri Inderjeet Sharma and others shared their views and concerns of the society and demanded immediate restoration of statehood to J&K and extended support to the movement for early restoration of statehood.