SRINAGAR — Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that there has been no change in the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir given the targeted killings and bomb blasts here. He, however, stated he would not go back to the past but would look forward to the best in the Union Territory.
Addressing a press conference at Taj Vivanta Hotel in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi, as per the news agency KNO, said he was not happy with what he saw in Jammu and Kashmir. “In fact, I was saddened when I walked through J&K as nobody is happy here and Ladakh as well.”
He added restoration of the democratic process and statehood is imperative and the fundamental right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Gandhi, who was flanked by General Secretary Incharge Communication Jairam Ramesh, Incharge J&K Rajni Patil, JKPCC President Vikar Rasool Wani, former PCC President Ghulam Ahmad Mir, former MP Tariq Hameed Karra, PCC Working President Raman Bhalla, former deputy chief minister Tara Chand and others, said the motive behind the Yatra was to spread love amid hatred being spread by BJP and RSS across the country.
“The Yatra has culminated in Srinagar and the main function will be held tomorrow. I got a lot to experience through this Yatra, met lakhs of people and talked to them. I have no words to describe my journey as I got a good response from the people all across including J&K. It was the best experience of my life,” he said.
Gandhi said during the Yatra people raised two important issues which included unemployment and price hike. “I thank all the people across the country, media and the Yatris, CRPF, police and others who extended their support to us,” he said.
He further said the Yatra was not the Congress party’s Yatra, but instead of party leaders, who walked most in it. “The Yatra gave an alternative vision to the people amidst existing BJP and RSS vision that is filled with hatred and violence. Now, the people have two ways with them, one is aimed to suppress people and another is full of love and affection,” he said.
He further said this Yatra has not ended but it is a first step as there is a lot more to do in the future for an alternative vision for the people and some active measures will be taken in this regard.
About his Yatra in J&K, he said that he met a lot of people here and nobody is happy. “I met people in Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir, nobody was happy here. I am not happy with what I see in J&K, in fact, I got saddened when I walk through J&K. While entering J&K, a strange idea came to my mind about my family that descended from J&K and went to Allahabad,” he said.
He said it felt like he was going home and that was a powerful feeling. “I have affection towards people of J&K. I came here with an open heart and open arms to help in whatever way I can. I was humbled by the reception we got. I think love and affection and listening is a powerful force,” he said while replying to a query.
On being asked about the abrogation of Article 370 and its restoration, he said they cleared their position in the party’s working committee document.
About the improvement in the security situation, he said the argument doesn’t work at a time of targeted killings, bomb blasts and other things. “If the situation has improved, let Union Home Minister Amit Shah hold a rally from Jammu to Srinagar,” he said.
About the land laws, he said he has already spoken over the issue and whenever an elected government is formed, it can take a decision accordingly.
