sANDEEP BHAT
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 16: In a move to reclaim its political relevance in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress has launched an aggressive campaign to demand the restoration of statehood to the region.
The party’s leadership, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, has escalated its efforts through both diplomatic and confrontational strategies.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge and Gandhi urged the central government to expedite the process of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the prolonged delay undermines democratic principles and the aspirations of the region’s people. The letter highlights the Congress’s commitment to addressing the grievances of J&K residents, who have been under Union Territory status since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Simultaneously, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress is preparing to take the issue to the national stage. Party insiders reveal that the J&K Congress is seriously considering staging a gherao (protest encirclement) of Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session to draw attention Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LOP Rahul Gandhi, has escalated its efforts through both diplomatic and confrontational strategies.
In a letter addressed to PM Modi, Kharge and Gandhi urged the central government to expedite the process of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The letter highlights the Congress’s commitment to addressing the grievances of J&K residents.
The J&K Congress is seriously considering staging a gherao (protest encirclement) of Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session to draw attention to the statehood demand.
Political analysts view this dual approach—combining formal appeals with planned protests—as a strategic effort by the Congress to regain lost ground in J&K, where its influence has waned in recent years. “The Congress is attempting to reconnect with the people of Jammu and Kashmir by addressing a core issue that resonates deeply with the region’s identity and governance,” said a senior political commentator.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government has maintained that the restoration of statehood will occur at an “appropriate time,” but no concrete timeline has been provided. This ambiguity has fueled the Congress’s campaign, with party leaders accusing the government of delaying tactics.
As the monsoon session approaches, all eyes will be on the Congress’s next moves and whether its aggressive push for J&K statehood will translate into broader political gains. The party’s ability to sustain this momentum could determine its resurgence in a region where it once held significant sway. | 