Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders began a hunger strike on Saturday demanding the restoration of the region’s statehood.
The protest was initiated by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Karra at the party’s headquarters on M A Road in Srinagar.
Karra was joined by senior party leaders, including AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir and party MLAs, in the hunger strike.
A similar protest is scheduled to take place in Jammu on Sunday.
This hunger strike is part of the party’s campaign, ‘Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’, which seeks to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The region was downgraded and split into two Union territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—by the Centre on August 5, 2019. On the same day, Articles 370 and 35A were also abrogated.
Addressing the media, Karra said the party has launched a “struggle to awaken the blind, deaf, and mute government in Delhi.”
“We chose this day as it marks the anniversary of the ‘Quit India Movement.’ Between August 9 and 21, the party will hold six hunger strikes across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Karra emphasized that the peaceful protest represents the hopes and aspirations of the 1.4 crore residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
With Parliament currently in session, the party will await any progress regarding the restoration of statehood.
“If no progress is made by August 21, when the session ends, we will announce a new plan of action,” he concluded.
