The Congress chapter in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has announced that it will join the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for the restoration of statehood to the territory. According to Kashmir Media Service, the announcement was made by IIOJK Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra while addressing a press conference at the party office in Jammu.

Karra said that although the National Conference (NC) had earlier declined the Congress’ invitation to join its statehood campaign, his party would participate in the NC’s protest because the issue concerns the future of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the aspirations of its 14 million people. He said the NC had invited senior Indian National Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as well as him in his capacity as IIOJK Congress president, to participate in the Jantar Mantar protest.

“As far as our central leadership’s participation is concerned, the Indian National Congress will also take part in the protest. But it is for them to decide the level of participation,” he said. Karra maintained that the movement for the restoration of statehood was initiated and consistently pursued by the Congress. He said the party was continuing its campaign under the slogan “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” through protests and public outreach programmes at the district and block levels.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)