Jammu Tawi: Hundreds of Congress leaders and workers, under the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra, took out a massive protest march towards Raj Bhawan today. The protest was aimed at condemning Home Minister Amit Shah for his controversial remarks against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, seeking an apology from him. The march also called for the arrest of industrialist Gautam Adani and criticized the central government for its failure to address the situation in Manipur. Additionally, the protestors demanded the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
As the protestors marched towards Raj Bhawan, a strong contingent of police stopped them at Danis Gate on Residency Road, preventing them from proceeding further. After brief discussions between Congress leaders and the police officers, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra instructed the workers to hold a peaceful sit-in dharna on Residency Road.
The protest was part of a nationwide call by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), and it saw participation from hundreds of Congress workers, senior leaders, former ministers, ex-legislators, district presidents, and heads of frontal wings. The participants carried placards and raised slogans demanding accountability from the central government, particularly criticizing Amit Shah’s remarks against Dr. Ambedkar and the failure to act on issues like Adani’s dealings and the unrest in Manipur.
Prominent Congress leaders who took part in the protest included Working Presidents Shri Tara Chand and Shri Raman Bhalla, AICC Secretary Shah Nawaz Choudhary, Th. Balwan Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Ved Mahajan, Indu Pawar, Yash Paul Kundal, Th. Hari Sing Chib, and many others.
Addressing the media, Shri Karra condemned Amit Shah’s remarks against Dr. Ambedkar, calling them an insult to the Father of the Constitution. He demanded that the Home Minister apologize to the nation for his comments, stating that such utterances reflect the BJP’s disregard for Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions.
Karra also took a strong stance on the issue of Gautam Adani, urging the central government to take immediate action following allegations against the industrialist, including reports from the United States. He accused the Modi government of trying to shield Adani and diverting attention from more pressing national issues.
On the situation in Manipur, Karra slammed the Modi government for its “criminal silence” amidst the ongoing violence and loss of innocent lives. He stressed the government’s failure to bring peace to the state and demanded immediate action.
Karra further criticized the central government for its delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, despite promises made in Parliament, before the Supreme Court, and in public addresses. He vowed that Congress would intensify its struggle for the full restoration of statehood in J&K if the government failed to fulfill its commitment in the near future.
