Rahul Gandhi Likens J&K Admin to Monarchical Rule, Vows to Restore Statehood”
Ramban, Sep 4, KNT: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday took a swipe at Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, accusing him of misappropriating the Union territory’s funds. Gandhi sarcastically referred to the Governor as “Raja” (King), alleging that he is diverting J&K’s resources to outside interests.
He criticized the current administration’s handling of the J&K’s affairs, particularly in the absence of a legislative body.
While addressing an election rally in the Ramban Assembly segment where Vikar Rasool is the Congress candidate, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP for failing to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, even five years after the abrogation of its special status. Gandhi criticized the BJP for leaving J&K in a state of limbo, stripped of its autonomy and reduced it to a Union territory, and demanded that statehood be reinstated.
Rahul Gandhi as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust likened the current administration in Jammu and Kashmir to the monarchial rule, which was abolished after India gained Independence in 1947.
Gandhi criticized the present system, saying, “We overthrew the monarchs in 1947, established a democratic government, and adopted a Constitution. However, today, we have a ‘king’ in the form of the Lieutenant Governor in J&K, who is misappropriating your funds and diverting them to outsiders.” He vowed to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as the first step towards rectifying this situation.
Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, strongly criticized the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomous status, asserting that it has not only erased the region’s state identity but also compromised the rights and resources of its inhabitants. He emphasized that this move marks a unprecedented blow to India’s history, where a state has been downgraded to a Union Territory, leading to the erosion of people’s rights. Gandhi stressed that the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is imperative, as the current situation has resulted in the systematic stripping of the region’s autonomy, wealth, and privileges.
Rahul Gandhi, while reiterating the party’s stance on statehood, stated, “Our position is clear: statehood should be restored first, followed by elections. However, the BJP has reversed this sequence, prioritizing elections over statehood. We assert that regardless of the BJP’s stance, we will tirelessly advocate for the people of Jammu and Kashmir until statehood is reinstated. We will apply sufficient pressure to ensure that the rights of the people are upheld and statehood is ultimately granted, with or without the BJP’s consent.” [KNT]
