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| Cong invokes Maharaja Hari Singh before launching Delhi Chalo march for statehood restoration | | | sandeep bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 21: The Indian National Congress has escalated its campaign for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, invoking the legacy of the last Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, to galvanize public support, particularly in the Jammu region.
On Monday, senior Congress leaders gathered in front of the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in Jammu, pledging to restore the statehood that they claim was arbitrarily and undemocratically revoked by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government.
The symbolic gathering took place ahead of a planned protest in Delhi on Tuesday, where Congress leaders intend to gherao the Parliament to press their demand for the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
The party has strategically invoked the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, to resonate with the sentiments of the Jammu region’s populace, emphasizing the historical significance of the Dogra state.
Congress leaders have accused the BJP of downgrading the “historical Dogra state” through the unilateral revocation of Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019. They argue that this action was not only arbitrary but also undemocratic, undermining the region’s unique identity and political status.
“The BJP’s decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood was an assault on the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh and the aspirations of the people,” said Tariq Hamid Karra Congress president during the gathering.
“We pledge to restore the statehood that reflects the historical and cultural pride of this land.”
The agitation comes as the sixth anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 approaches on August 5, 2025. Congress leaders highlighted that the Supreme Court’s directive to restore statehood has not been implemented, despite repeated assurances from the central government. “The BJP has failed to honor its promise and the court’s mandate, leaving the people of Jammu and Kashmir in a state of political limbo,” the leaders stated, vowing to intensify their protests until statehood is restored.
The Congress’s focus on Maharaja Hari Singh is seen as a strategic move to consolidate support in the Jammu region, where the Dogra ruler remains a revered figure. By framing the statehood demand as a restoration of the Dogra state’s legacy, the party aims to unite diverse communities in its fight against the central government’s policies. The planned gherao of Parliament is expected to draw significant attention to the issue, with Congress mobilizing its cadre to amplify the demand on a national stage.
As the agitation gains momentum, the Congress has called on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to join the movement, emphasizing that the restoration of statehood is not just a political necessity but a matter of restoring the region’s dignity and autonomy. |
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