JAMMU, 17th Juyly, 2026: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra on Friday announced that the Congress would participate in the National Conference’s protest for restoration of statehood, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on July 20.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Karra said the National Conference had invited the senior Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, to join the protest.
He said the JKPCC would participate in the proposed sit-in, while the extent of involvement of the Congress central leadership would be decided by the party high command.
Karra described restoration of statehood as an issue linked with the aspirations, emotions and democratic expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the campaign should not be viewed as the exclusive programme of any single political organisation.
“Statehood represents the aspirations, emotions and sentiments of 1.4 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir. Any individual, civil society organisation or political party willing to support this movement is welcome,” he said.
The Congress leader maintained that the demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood transcended political affiliations and required a wider democratic mobilisation. He said differences among political parties should not distract attention from an issue carrying constitutional and public importance.
Karra also claimed that the Congress had initiated the organised campaign for restoration of statehood and welcomed the decision of other parties to strengthen the movement.
He said the Congress had prepared a broader programme of public mobilisation and could undertake a march from Lakhanpur in Jammu to Lolab in Kashmir if the Union government failed to honour its commitment.
According to Karra, he had personally discussed the proposed march with Rahul Gandhi. The party was examining logistical arrangements and would announce an appropriate date if the need arose.
“We hope the Government of India fulfils its pending commitment. If it does not, the Indian National Congress will undertake a march from Lakhanpur to Lolab. We are working out the necessary arrangements,” he said.
Responding to questions about remarks made by senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz regarding Article 370, Karra said the party had already distanced itself from the statement.
He clarified that the views expressed by Soz were personal and did not represent the official position of the Congress.
“Whatever he has written reflects his individual views and has no connection with the Congress party’s stated position,” Karra said.
Soz had reportedly suggested that the National Conference should not limit its protest to the restoration of statehood and should also raise the demand for reinstatement of Article 370.
Asked about political coordination between the Congress and the National Conference, Karra said the immediate focus should remain on the larger demand for statehood rather than on differences or questions relating to alliance management.
“The issue before us is much larger. Smaller political concerns should not overshadow the central demand that deserves our attention at this stage,” he said.
Karra also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that it had failed to provide clarity on the constitutional and political future of Jammu and Kashmir.
He accused the ruling party of delaying action on major commitments and said the Congress would continue to intensify its campaign through democratic and peaceful means.
“The BJP’s intentions regarding Jammu and Kashmir remain unclear. Important issues have repeatedly been pushed aside, but that does not mean we will remain silent. We will continue our movement and remind the government of its responsibilities,” he said.
The proposed July 20 protest is expected to bring the statehood demand back into the national political spotlight, with opposition parties seeking a clear timeline from the Centre for restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a state.