Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday claimed that Jammu region suffered more than Kashmir post 2019 and accused the BJP of selling “false dreams and hopes” to the people.
Addressing a rally at Basohli in Kathua district, Karra asked the BJP to explain the benefits of downgrading the erstwhile state into a Union Territory and removing protection over land, jobs, and natural resources granted by the last Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh.
The Congress leader also paid rich tributes to Singh on his death anniversary.
“Jammu region suffered more than Kashmir after the BJP bifurcated J&K into two UTs in August 2019. Our youth are suffering the most due to lack of job opportunities, uncertainty and price escalation,” Karra said.
He accused the BJP of misleading people with promises of a better future, saying residents of the Jammu region now feel “cheated and betrayed”.
The crowd responded with a show of hands when he asked which region had suffered more— Jammu or Kashmir— with a clear majority indicating Jammu.
Karra reiterated his charge that the BJP seeks to rule by proxy, alleging that none of its 29 MLAs and several MPs have clarified their stand on the restoration of statehood promised by the Centre over six years ago, and asserted that the Congress will continue its ‘Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’ movement.
He reiterated that restoration of statehood is the democratic right of the people, not a concession, asserting that it must be returned without further delay as promised by the Centre.
Praising Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for providing strong leadership against “authoritarian and vindictive policies” of Modi government, the Congress leader said the youth of country see hope in him.
He lashed out at the policies of “exploitation and falsehood” over the issue of women reservation and said it was the Congress which introduced one-third reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
“The women reservation bill was passed unanimously in 2023 but not implemented by Modi government which is now spreading falsehood,” he said.
PTI