Continued denial of statehood is against democratic principles of India, Says  Kara

• Statehood is not a favour, it is our fundamental democratic right – Bhalla

Jammu, Agust 14  : A large number of Congress leaders and workers of district Samba today  held a day long dharna and hunger strike at party HQ  Shaeedi Chowk Jammu, as per schedule of days for respective districts to carry on the chain hunger strike by the Pradesh Congress in Jammu. They raised slogans ” Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq ” , restore full statehood, statehood is right of 1.40 cr of J&K residents etc.

Addressing the gathering JKPCC Chief Shri Tariq Hameed Karra said that  the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not asking for any privilege—they are demanding what is rightfully and constitutionally theirs, snatched by BJP Govt. undemocratic, and continuing to withhold it, in a  unconstitutional and undemocratic manner. He said that the people are growing increasingly restless under direct Central rule, which has failed to address day-to-day concerns and local aspirations.

Karra 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.

Working President Raman Bhalla said it was  a great deception with the people of Jammu and Kashmir by downgrading  full-fledged state into UT and a mass movement has to be built to get back statehood as its downgrading completed six years on Aug 5, despite false promises and announcements to restore at the earliest

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. It is not just a political fight but it is a people’s movement for justice, identity, and dignity, adding that “Statehood” is not a favour, it is a fundamental democratic right of 1.40 Cr. people of  Jammu and Kashmir.

Shri Mula Ram said that  People want jobs, development, dignity, and status which is not possible without a full-fledged state. We will not rest until Jammu and Kashmir is given back its statehood,” he declared.

AICC Secretary Ch. Shahnawaz accused Centre Govt. of  backtracking of the of the promise  maqde to the people of J&K on multiple occasions in the past six years and said that party shall continue the struggle till the goal is achieved .

Shri Yash Pal Kundal in his address  blamed BJP for betraying the  people after getting huge mandate in the promise of granting statehood immediately after assembly elections. He said that BJP Govt at the Centre is taking shield of the deteriorated security situation for which the BJP Govt. itself responsible for its failure to control the situation. The people should not be deprived of their rights  for the failure of the Centre Govt.

 Smt. Indu Pawar Ex-MLA coordinator for Samba district appreciated the cadre for carrying OT THE STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHTS OF common people of J&K.

DCC President Sanjeev Sharma thanked the  cadres of the district for  joining the hunger strike in large numbers and  assured the leadership that  the struggle shall be intensified in every nook and corner of J&K to achieve the goal.

Others who  joined hunger strike and spoke on the occasion include Former Ministers Yogesh Sawhney,  Former MLC Ved Mahajan, Rajnish Sharma(Treasurer) ,  Kanta Bhan, Working President Samba Babal Gupta, , Smt. Parveen Sarwar  Khan,  Vijay Sharma (Seva Dal), Sanjeev  Panda, Rajesh Sharma,  Vijant Pathania,  Neeraj Gupta, Jatin Raina, Rakesh Sharma, Smt. Anuradha Sharma, Anirudh Sawhney (PYC),Pradeep Bhalla, Virinder Manhas, Janak Mehra, Raghav Khajuria, Swarnvir Singh, Bodh Raj Sharma, Adarsh Sharma R.P. Magotra, Maqbool Choudhary, Mehul  Abrol, Happy Randawa, Akhil Bogia, besides prominent leaders  from Samba include K.D.Singh , Tirath Ram Bhagat, Vijay Tagotra, Adv. K.D. Singh, Raj Khajuria, Jang Bahadur, Vinay Sharma, Mohan Lal, Kuldeep Singh, Pratap Singh, Shakti Kumar Rashpal Sharma, Mohan Singh, Kirpal Chand, Karnail Singh, Arjun Kumar, Jodh Ram, Kasturi Lal Sharma,, Krishan Lal,, Shiv Ram Darshan Lal, Balbir Raj, Daleep Singh, Puran Chand, Tarseem Singh,  Shanker Dass Nagar Mal, Talbir Singh, Suttan Singh, Darshan Ram, Mukesh Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Satish Kumar, Sat Pal, Kanta Devi, Rajni Devi and several other prominent observed hunger strike for the day.

A two minutes silence was observed  in the memory of those who have lost their lives and to pray for the early recovery of the injured  in the cloud burst tragedy near Machail in Kishtwar District today.