Rahul Gandhi promises to restore J-K’s statehood

SRINAGAR — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared on Monday at a rally in Srinagar that he would ensure that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored and that outsiders do not rule the erstwhile state.

Addressing a rally in Shalteng area, he said, “We want to give you statehood so that you can choose your own development, and I guarantee you, not outsiders, who are ruling as king here, will rule you.”

Gandhi assured the crowd that Congress would pressure the BJP to restore statehood. “If they don’t, I guarantee we will.”

Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, criticizing the BJP government’s decision to revoke it as a “historic injustice.” “Normally, Union Territories are upgraded to States, but they downgraded a State to a UT,” he said.

He lambasted the BJP’s divisive politics, fostering hatred and prioritizing billionaires’ interests. “They made one language fight another, one state against another, and brother against brother.”

Gandhi shared his experiences from the Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he travelled 4,000 kilometres to spread love and unity. “Wherever they sowed seeds of hatred, we sowed seeds of love and harmony.”

He criticized the BJP government’s economic policies, pointing out the waiver of Rs 16 lakh crore loans for 25 select individuals while neglecting the poor, farmers and youth. “They have destroyed small businesses with GST and failed to provide employment.”

The Congress leader promised to provide 1 lakh jobs and Rs 3000 unemployment stipend to J&K youth. “We want J&K to regain its autonomy, take its own decisions, and develop.”