LoP flays BJP for downgrading a fulfilled state into a UT
Shadow Correspondent
SURANKOTE, Sept 23:
Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday strongly criticized the BJP for downgrading Jammu and Kashmir from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory, calling it an unprecedented move in modern Indian history.
Addressing a large rally in Surankote in Poonch district in support of Congress and National Conference candidates of Poonch and Rajouri districts, Rahul Gandhi vowed that the Congress, along with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), would apply pressure on the central government to restore J&K’s statehood after the completion of assembly elections.
Former Chief Minister and president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Dr. Farooq Abdullah also spoke on the occasion.
Mr Rahul Gandhi highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir is the first state in India’s history to be bifurcated into two Union Territories—Ladakh and J&K.
He noted that, unlike other regions that saw the creation of new states from the
Only J&K residents
biggest states, J&K was downgraded, and with it, the democratic rights of its people were stripped away.
“This is the first time that a state has been reduced to a Union Territory. Your right to self-governance was snatched from you,” he declared, emphasizing that the restoration of statehood remains a top priority for the Congress party.
Mr Rahul Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to the people of J&K, promising to be their voice in Parliament.
“Whenever you need me, just call, and I will be here. I will ensure your concerns are heard in Parliament,” he told the gathering, underlining his long-standing connection with the region.
Leader of the Opposition accused the BJP-led central government of ruling J&K from Delhi, with decisions being made by non-locals.
He also alleged that the state’s downgrade to a Union Territory was primarily aimed at benefiting a handful of powerful industrialists, claiming that the government was prioritizing the interests of a select few over the common people.
“J&K’s fate is now decided by outsiders,” he said, pointing to the loss of autonomy to rule.
He further criticized the BJP and RSS for spreading divisiveness through religion, caste, and regional lines. To counter this, Gandhi said the Congress was promoting unity and harmony, opening “Mohabbat Ke Doukan in Nafrat Kay Bazaar Main”
Referring to the economic challenges facing the country, Gandhi lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, particularly demonetization and the introduction of a flawed GST, which, he said, had crippled small and medium businesses.
He accused the Modi government of waiving loans worth Rs16 lakh crore for a few select businessmen while ignoring the needs of farmers, laborers, and students.
Gandhi expressed disappointment over the closure of major industries, including the HMT watch factory in J&K, and said this was indicative of the government’s failure to provide employment opportunities. He noted that despite high educational qualifications, the youth of J&K were struggling to find jobs, a situation he attributed directly to the Modi government’s economic mismanagement. “This is Modi’s gift—young people with degrees but no jobs,” Gandhi said.
Taking a dig at Modi’s popular “Mann ki Baat” radio show, Gandhi remarked that while the prime minister enjoys speaking at length, he fails to address the real issues facing the country. “Modi only talks about his ‘Mann ki Baat,’ but what people need is ‘Kaam ki Baat’—jobs for the youth and the restoration of J&K’s statehood,” Gandhi asserted.
With assembly elections underway in J&K, Mr Rahul Gandhi pledged that if the BJP does not restore statehood after the polls, the Congress and the INDIA alliance would ensure it happens. He reassured the people of J&K that their demand for statehood would not be ignored and promised continued efforts to safeguard their democratic rights.
AICC incharge Jammu and Kashmir Bharat Sinh Solanki, AICC co-incharge Manoj Yadav, Congress candidate from Surankote Assembly segment Shahnawaz Hussain, JKPCC Senior vice president and chief spokesperson of the party, Ravinder Sharma, Congress candidate for Thanamandi assembly segment Shabir Khan, Congress candidate for Rajouri seat, Iftikhar Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
AICC social media coordinator, Pranav, Parveen Sarwar, Aijaz Choudhary, Jatin Raina, Rajesh Gupta, Lalit Mahajan, Jatin Raina, and others were also present on the occasion.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming his confidence has been shattered by the Opposition INDIA alliance and accused him of “spreading hatred” in the country.
Addressing a poll rally at the central Shalteng constituency of Srinagar district which would go to polls on Wednesday Gandhi tried to touch the emotional card with those present in the rally and said that he has “blood ties” with people of Jammu and Kashmir and promised that he will put pressure on BJP to give Statehood back.
Gandhi started his speech by hitting out at the PM saying his confidence had been shattered by the INDIA alliance and Congress.
“You must have seen the Lok Sabha elections. Before the Lok Sabha elections, people used to call Narendra Modi a 56-inch chest. … But now, the INDIA alliance and Congress Party have changed Narendra Modi’s psychology. The confidence that he had earlier, is now gone,” the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha said in his poll address.
Gandhi alleged that for the last 10 years, wherever Narendra Modi or BJP goes, they “spread hatred” and pitch brother against brother and one religion against another.
“ They (BJP) have spread hatred all over the country. The answer to hatred is not given by hatred. The answer to hatred is given by love. The people of Jammu and Kashmir know that only love can end hatred. This is your ( people of J&K) history. This is your thinking. This is your culture,” he added.
Gandhi referred to his Bharat Jodo yatra and asserted that they spread love during the march.
“We traveled 4000 kilometers. Wherever BJP people had spread hatred, we went there and opened a shop of love. And we will continue to do this,” he added.
Gandhi hit out at the Modi government for downgrading the erstwhile state into two union territories.
“In the history of India, the state was never changed into a Union Territory. For the first time, the people of a state were snatched away from their rights and turned into a Union Territory. This has happened to you. And this injustice has happened to you. Your democracy, your right to democracy was snatched away from you. And that’s why we want you to get your statehood back as soon as possible. You should get your right back. And once again, you should become a state. We wanted this to happen before the elections. BJP didn’t do it. And that’s why we want you to get your statehood back as soon as possible. And I guarantee you this,” the Congress leader said.
He said they will put pressure on BJP to give statehood back to J&K.
“And if they don’t give you your statehood back, then I guarantee you, we will give you your statehood back. This is your democratic right,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi targeted Modi for shutting down or privatizing several factories across the country,
“This government only works for two to three billionaires. They have waived off loans worth 16 lakh crore for 25 people. For the poor, for the farmers, for the workers, for the students, for the women, they don’t waive off loans. …They brought in the wrong GST. Through demonetization, small and medium businesses were shut. The result is that today in India and Jammu and Kashmir, the youth cannot get employment,” Gandhi said.
He said the youth have been major sufferers of such policies of Modi.
“..Take any degree, college degree, university degree, become an engineer, become a doctor, but you will not get employment. This is Narendra Modi’s policy, this is his politics. And he gives long speeches, he talks “Man ki Baat”, but he does not know how to work,” Gandhi said.
The LoP said the Congress will work to remove unemployment, reduce inflation, give vision to the youth, and give statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Gandhi also launched a scathing attack on Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and termed him “ a king.”
“ People from outside are coming and making decisions for you (people of J&K). The “king” is sitting here. He is the Lieutenant governor, he is the king, he is from outside, and he is not from Jammu and Kashmir. He cannot do what the people of Jammu and Kashmir want. ..That is why we want that once again, the people of Jammu and Kashmir choose their leaders, choose their MLA, choose their government, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir start doing their work of development on their own,” he added.
At the end of his speech, Gandhi said that he had an old relationship with the people of J&K.
“Whatever you want me to do in the Parliament, you order me. I am ready to do it for you. And you know what kind of relationship I have with you, the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an old relationship, it is not a political relationship, it is a relationship of heart, it is a relationship of blood, it is a relationship of love,” he said while appealing to people to vote for Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hamid Karra who is contesting from the Shalteng seat.
