Jammu, July 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has announced a series of protests beginning this week, with its flagship ‘Chalo Delhi’ campaign set for July 21, aiming to press the Centre to restore full statehood to the Union Territory.
Party chief Tariq Hameed Karra told reporters that demonstrations will be held in Kashmir on July 19 and in Jammu on July 20, ahead of the symbolic march to Delhi. “We want our voice to reach the government clearly. Our workers from every district and block will head to Delhi to participate in a symbolic gherao of Parliament,” he said.
The Monsoon session of Parliament begins July 21, and the Congress alongside INDIA bloc allies plans to raise the issue both inside and outside the House. Karra stressed that the movement is being backed by 233 MPs from the opposition alliance, calling it a “major collective effort.”
“Congress has been at the forefront of the fight for statehood from grassroots mobilisation to parliamentary intervention. Without our push, statehood restoration is next to impossible,” Karra said, responding to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s acknowledgment of Congress’s efforts.
He said the campaign is intended to become a full-fledged people’s movement, asserting that the current dual-control governance—via the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre—has stalled development and created administrative confusion.
Karra ruled out pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court, noting that the court has already upheld the Centre’s 2019 move. “Our achievable and focused goal is the return of statehood,” he reiterated.
He also criticised the sweeping powers given to the Lieutenant Governor under the J&K Reorganisation Act, describing it as a flawed dual-power structure that’s contributing to governance paralysis.
Karra praised the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for standing firm on the issue, stating, “From the top leadership to local workers, Congress is united in this mission.”
Meanwhile, in a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge urged the government to bring a bill restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Parliament session. They also demanded that the government pass legislation to bring Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. (PTI)
