Congress will work for J&K's statehood, assures Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday stated that the people of J&K have been disempowered and their lands were being snatched. He assured them that his party would work for the restoration of statehood. Gandhi was speaking during the Bharat Jodo Yatra which is currently in Jammu and is scheduled to conclude in Srinagar on January 30.

“Statehood is a big issue and your right was snatched. Congress is in complete solidarity for restoration of statehood and we will support it with all our strength,” Gandhi said while addressing a gathering in Satwari area. Gandhi alleged land is being snatched from the poor people in J&K and the media is not reporting about it.

“Outsiders are running the businesses in J&K and the administration does not pay heed to the demands and concerns of local businessmen. Local traders are helpless spectators… Soon you will see who all will earn from the apple trade of J&K,” said Gandhi.


The Congress leader alleged that Kashmiri Pandits are facing injustice at the hands of the administration and asked J&K LG Manoj Sinha to apologise to the community for telling the prime minister’s package employees that they should not resort to begging before the administration.

Gandhi had met the Kashmiri Pandit delegation on Monday and is likely to visit their residence in Jagti area of Jammu as well. The delegation briefed him about their concerns including ‘targeted killings’ of minority community employees in Kashmir and their subsequent protests demanding relocation and transfers outside the Valley.

“Injustice is being meted out to Kashmir Pandits by this administration. I met a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits who briefed me about their issues. I was surprised to know that their delegation was told by the lieutenant governor that they should not resort to begging… I want to tell the LG that they are not demanding alms but are seeking their rights. You (LG) should apologise before them (Pandits),” said Gandhi.

He blamed the BJPled central government for the rising unemployment and inflation across the country. Gandhi also criticised the BJP government’s Agniveer policy for recruitment in the Army stating that the party doesn’t understand the ethos and functioning of the Army that works and fights as a family, which takes years to form and bond.

“Army people cannot speak out in public. Otherwise, if given a chance, they would oppose this policy and clearly say that this is wrong,” said Gandhi.