Rahul Gandhi Bats For Restoration Of Statehood To Jammu And Kashmir

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Monday said that the Congress party will put all its might and resources behind restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

“These press people ask why Rahul Gandhi is in a T-shirt. People (during the yatra) give me so much love that I don’t feel cold. The biggest issue in J&K is the restoration of statehood. They (BJP) have snatched you right from you. Congress party would work for the restoration of the statehood and will put all its might behind restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood," he said.

"We are in support of the restoration of statehood,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Monday’s Yatra started from Samba’s Vijaypur along the Jammu-Pathankot highway at around 7 am and entered the winter capital Jammu in the afternoon where Rahul Gandhi addressed people.

“Today morning a delegation of Kashmiri pandits met me. They told me that when their delegation went to meet Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor told them they shouldn’t beg. They are not begging. They are asking for their rights,” Gandhi said, asking Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to apologize for his alleged comments.

He said a delegation of people told him it is outsiders who are running Jammu and Kashmir’s businesses now and the natives have been pushed to the margins. “They told me our voice is not being heard by the administration as all trade is run by outsiders and Jammu people are just watching,” he said.

He said the highest number of unemployed are in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the government has stopped Army recruitment through the Agniveer process. He alleged Agniveer would weaken the Army. He said earlier youth would join the Army and after 15 years of service he would get pension. He said through Agniveer the BJP has closed the road for the Army jobs.

He said delegations of people told him that land is taken away from poor people in J&K. “Why doesn't it reflect in the media? Kashmiri pandits are being subjected to injustice. Why don’t you talk about unemployment,” he said while addressing the media.

Earlier on Saturday Congress came in support of the restoration of the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and pitched for Article 371 like guarantees for J&K.

“You are talking about Article 370 and I am talking about Article 371. Under Article 371 many states of our country and many areas of our country have got special provisions,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said while interacting with reporters in Kathua.