Only residents of J&K can shape their future, not outsiders: Rahul Gandhi

Former Chief Minister and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah also addressed the occasion. Mr. Rahul Gandhi emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is the first state in Indian history to be bifurcated into two Union Territories – Ladakh and J&K. He pointed out that unlike other regions where new states were created from the largest state, J&K was downgraded and its people were stripped of their democratic rights.

“This is the first time that a state has been downgraded to a Union Territory. Your autonomy has been taken away,” he declared, stressing that restoration of statehood remained the top priority of the Congress party. Mr. Rahul Gandhi reiterated his commitment to the people of J&K and promised to speak for them in Parliament. “Whenever you need me, just call and I’ll be there. I’ll make sure your concerns are heard by council,” he told the meeting, highlighting his longstanding ties to the region. Opposition leaders have accused the BJP-led central government of ruling J&K in Delhi with decisions being taken by non-locals.

He also claimed that the downgrading of the state to a Union Territory was mainly aimed at benefiting a few powerful industrialists, claiming that the government was prioritizing the interests of a few over the common people. “The fate of J&K is now decided by outsiders,” he said, citing the loss of autonomy in governance. He further criticized the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for sowing division along religious, caste and regional lines. To address the issue, Gandhi said the Congress party was promoting unity and harmony and opening ‘Mohabbat Ke Doukan’ at Navratkai Chowk. Speaking about the economic challenges facing the country, Gandhi lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, especially demonetization and the introduction of flawed monetary policies. He said that the GST has weakened the capabilities of small and medium enterprises.

He accused the Modi government of waiving loans worth Rs 1.6 billion for a few select businessmen while ignoring the needs of farmers, workers and students. Gandhi expressed disappointment over the closure of major industries, including the HMT watch factory in J&K, and said it showed the government’s failure to provide employment opportunities. He pointed out that despite having high academic qualifications, young people in J&K are finding it difficult to find jobs, a situation he directly attributed to the Modi government’s economic mismanagement. “This is Modi’s gift – young people with degrees but no jobs,” said Gandhi. A dig at Modi’s popularity “mankibat” Gandhi said on the radio show that while the prime minister liked to speak at length, he failed to address the real problems facing the country. “Modi only talks about his ‘Mann ki Baat’ but what people need is ‘Kaam ki Baat’ – providing employment opportunities to youth and restoring statehood to J&K,” Gandhi asserted.

As the assembly elections in J&K get underway, Mr Rahul Gandhi has promised that if the BJP does not restore statehood after the polls, the Congress and the Indian Union will ensure this happens. He assured the people of J&K that their demand for statehood would not be ignored and promised to continue efforts to safeguard their democratic rights. AICC in-charge Jammu and Kashmir Bharat Sinh Solanki, AICC co-incharge Manoj Yadav, Congress candidate for Surankote assembly segment Shahnawaz Hussain, JKPCC senior vice president and chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, Congress candidate for Thanamandi assembly segment Shabir Khan, Congress candidate Iftikhar Ahmed from Rajouri seat 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 at the event.