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Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra has accused the BJP-led central government of deliberately delaying the restoration of statehood to retain control over Jammu and Kashmir through proxy rule, despite the formation of an elected government last year.

 

“BJP is doing injustice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by not fulfilling its commitment of restoring statehood since people did not give it the mandate to rule J&K,” Karra said while addressing a public rally at Salerh in the Bishnah area.

 

Karra claimed that the BJP wants to rule the region “by proxy through the LG administration.”

 

“This is a great injustice to people and a betrayal after repeated commitments for early restoration of statehood. This is also defiance of the Supreme Court’s directive,” he said.

Also read: Congress to launch 15-day campaign for J&K statehood restoration

 

Carrying forward his party’s campaign for the restoration of full statehood, Karra said it was ironic that people have to demand statehood from those in power whose political ancestors sided with the British when the Congress was fighting for freedom on the streets and in prisons.

 

“They have no history of fighting for the country’s freedom,” he said, recalling the contributions of Dogra warriors in expanding the boundaries of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh up to Gilgit-Baltistan.

 

He accused the BJP of dismembering the historic state and said the party is unwilling to restore statehood despite repeated promises.

 

The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded and bifurcated into two Union territories after the central government abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A, which granted special status to J&K.

 

The BJP-led government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has repeatedly assured that statehood would be restored at an opportune time.

 

However, the opposition, including the Congress, has alleged that the BJP is intentionally delaying the process to maintain control over the region.

Also read: Cong was open to pre-poll alliance, Kejriwal refused: Karra