Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 04:
Reaffirming the Congress Party’s unwavering commitment to restore the constitutional status and dignity of Jammu and Kashmir, Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former Minister, Mr. Raman Bhalla, on Monday declared that the movement for the restoration of full statehood will be carried to its logical conclusion with the active support of the people.
As part of the ongoing public outreach initiative launched by the Congress Party to mobilize grassroots support for the cause, Mr. Bhalla, accompanied by several senior party leaders, held an extensive interaction with a broad cross-section of society at Bagh-e-Bahu. The purpose of the engagement was to listen to public grievances, understand the challenges being faced by various communities, and reaffirm the party’s resolve to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s democratic rights and constitutional identity.
Raman Bhalla was accompanied by Yogesh Sawhney formar minister , Th Manmohan Singh, Dist president urban , Satish Sharma formar pcc gen sect , Dawarka Choudhary, Jatinder Chib, Rajinder Randawa , Parveen Singh, Madan Chalotra, Latish, Sat Sapolia, Sonu Dogra, Pardeep Bhalla, Viju, Gagan Bral, Dewan, Pawan Dev Singh, Mulkhraj, Mangat Ram, Raj Kumar, Shamsher, Shashi Sayal, Paras Ram,Charanjeet Singh Chib and others.
“Since the downgrading of the state in August 2019, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been stripped of their constitutional rights in an arbitrary and undemocratic manner,” Mr. Bhalla said while addressing the gathering.
“What happened was not just a political betrayal, but a blow to the federal spirit of our nation. The identity, dignity, and sentiments of the people of this historically rich region have been deeply wounded”, he said.
Highlighting the growing discontent among the people, Mr. Bhalla said the ongoing political uncertainty and administrative disconnect have led to widespread frustration.
“From rural hamlets to urban neighborhoods, there is a common voice of disillusionment and injustice,” he remarked, adding “The youth are grappling with unemployment and vanishing opportunities.
Farmers are under financial stress due to rising input costs and inadequate support systems. The business community continues to face economic setbacks. Above all, there is a disturbing rise in political alienation, which poses a serious threat to peace and stability.”
Mr. Bhalla reiterated that the Congress Party has consistently demanded the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “We remind the Central Government of its repeated promises — including assurances made on the floor of Parliament — that statehood would be restored. These assurances must now translate into meaningful action,” he asserted.
Urging people to unite for the common cause, Mr. Bhalla emphasized the need for a peaceful, democratic movement. “This is not about political affiliations. It is about reclaiming our identity, our rights, and our rightful place within the Indian Union. We must rise above party lines and demand what is constitutionally and morally ours,” he said.
He further assured that the Congress Party would continue to be at the forefront of this struggle. “We are with the people of Jammu and Kashmir at every step. The path may be long and difficult, but we will not relent until justice is served and full statehood is restored. The fight for dignity and democracy will not be abandoned,” he declared.
The event concluded with a strong sense of resolve among attendees, who echoed Mr. Bhalla’s call for unity and perseverance in the face of continued political neglect and disenfranchisement.
