August 5 as Black Day Protest Becomes People’s Voice in J&K: Led by Congress
On August 5, 2025: The Indian National Congress observed the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 as a “Black Day” across Jammu and Kashmir, under the unifying slogan “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” (Our State, Our Right). The protest was held in response to a call given by Tariq Hameed Karra, the State President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), who strongly condemned the unconstitutional revocation of J&K’s special status and the unjust downgrading of the state into a Union Territory. As part of a coordinated demonstration across all districts, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla provided guidance for the Jammu-based protestors, instructing them to gather at the Maharaja Hari Singh Statue on the bridge—a site symbolizing the historic identity, sovereignty, and sacrifices of the region.
Prominent among the protestors in Jammu were senior leaders of the OBC and SC departments of JKPCC. The demonstration was led by Madan Lal Chalotra (Chairman, OBC Department), S. Mehar Singh (Vice Chairman), Jagdish Kashyap and Prem Sagar (Joint Coordinators), Dewan Chand (District Chairman, SC Department), and Vijay Salgotra (District General Secretary, OBC Department). They were joined in solidarity by grassroots representatives and Congress workers, including S. Balwinder Singh, Jeet Raj, B.B. Krishan Kashyap, G.N. Sailesh Khokher, Janak Raj Kashyap, Amit Gandhi, Vivek Gandhi, and Kailash Saini. Together, they raised their voices for the constitutional rights and democratic identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was peaceful yet highly impactful—symbolizing both political resistance and the growing public sentiment against the ongoing disempowerment faced by the people since August 5, 2019. Addressing the media, JKPCC leaders highlighted how the abrogation was carried out under President’s Rule, without any consultation with the elected representatives or people of Jammu and Kashmir. They denounced the move as a violation of democratic, constitutional, and federal principles. The central demand echoed across the gathering was clear: immediate restoration of full statehood, revival of democratic institutions, and assurance of constitutional protection to preserve the distinct identity and aspirations of the region.
To further escalate the democratic struggle, the Congress Party launched a hunger strike campaign from August 9 to August 20, excluding August 15 and 16, starting on Quit India Day and concluding on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This non-violent campaign aimed to draw national attention to the ongoing injustices and suppression endured by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The August 5 protest, held under the leadership of JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra and Working President Raman Bhalla, reaffirmed the Congress Party’s unshakable commitment to justice, dignity, and democracy. A large number of people participated, making it evident that this was not just a party’s protest, but the unified voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir demanding their rights and identity be restored.
