On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Karra began a hunger strike at the party’s headquarters on M A Road in Srinagar. The strike aims to press the demand for restoring the Union territory’s full statehood.
Karra, along with other senior party leaders including AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir and party MLAs, joined the hunger strike.
A similar hunger strike is scheduled to be held in Jammu on Sunday.
The hunger strike is part of the party’s campaign, ‘Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’, aimed at pressing for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The region was downgraded and bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — on August 5, 2019, when the Centre also abrogated Articles 370 and 35A.
Speaking to reporters, Karra said the party has launched a “struggle to awaken the blind, deaf, and dumb government in Delhi.”
“We chose this day because it marks the anniversary of the ‘Quit India Movement.’ From August 9 to 21, the party will observe six hunger strikes across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
The JKPCC president said the peaceful hunger strike reflects the wishes and aspirations of the 1.40 crore citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
With the Parliament session ongoing, Karra said the party will wait for any developments regarding the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
“If there is no progress, a new programme will be announced on August 21, when the session ends,” he said.
