Karra says Srinagar hosts first protest; other districts will follow with hunger strikes till 20th
Srinagar, August 9(KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Karra, along with senior party leaders, district coordinators, and district presidents, launched a chain hunger strike in Srinagar on Saturday, demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to the media during the protest, Karra said that over the past six months, the Congress party has conducted outreach across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir to build momentum around the demand for the restoration of statehood.
He said the party had organized protest programs in Srinagar, Jammu, and Delhi, and in some areas, workers were stopped, detained, or faced police action.
Karra said the party held an earlier campaign in Delhi, followed by an outreach program from the 1st to the 4th of this month. He said they engaged with stakeholders, including traders, transporters, and various associations, who expressed their support for the movement.
He also said that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the Prime Minister regarding the promise of restoring statehood to J&K.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe said a specific date had been requested for fulfilling the commitment.
Karra said that on August 5, the party observed Kala Din (Black Day) in all districts of the Union Territory. He said the chain hunger strike, which began on August 9, coincides with the anniversary of the Quit India Movement.
He said today’s protest was organized by Congress workers from Srinagar. He added that protests and hunger strikes will be held by workers from each district, with Srinagar and Jammu serving as the central venues.
He said that on August 10, Congress workers from Anantnag will hold a hunger strike in Srinagar, while the Jammu leg of the protest will begin the same day. He added that on August 11, workers from Kathua will hold their protest in Jammu.
Karra said the chain hunger strike will continue till August 20, while the Parliament session remains in progress. He said the party will review developments after August 21 and decide the next steps accordingly.(KNS).