Rahul Gandhi’s Rally: A Call for Statehood and Justice in Jammu and Kashmir

Mobilizing for Statehood

On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, delivered a powerful message at a public rally in Jammu. He emphasized the urgent need to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Gandhi declared that the INDIA bloc is ready to mobilize all its resources in Parliament. If the BJP-led government fails to act after the upcoming assembly elections, the alliance will take to the streets.

Commitment Through Repeated Visits

This rally marked Gandhi‘s third visit to Jammu and Kashmir in just under three weeks. His repeated trips clearly demonstrate his commitment to the region.

Earlier, he traveled to the Banihal and Dooru constituencies on September 4, just ahead of the first phase of assembly polls on September 18. Most recently, he visited Surankote and Central-Shalteng on September 23, only two days before the second phase of voting.

Engaging with Local Professionals

Upon arriving in Jammu, Gandhi began by meeting local professionals at a hotel. After that, he addressed a large crowd at the JK Resort Ground.

During his speech, he highlighted the injustice faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir when the region split into two Union Territories in 2019. He remarked, “It has never happened in India’s history that statehood has been revoked and a state transformed into a Union Territory.“

Moreover, he assured the crowd, “If the BJP does not restore statehood after the elections, we—the INDIA alliance—will mobilize our full strength in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We will take to the streets to advocate for the restoration of statehood to J-K.”

A Fight Against Outsider Governance

In his remarks, Gandhi argued that the revocation of statehood aimed to benefit “outsiders” through the Lieutenant Governor. He stated, “As long as the Lt Governor remains, outsiders will profit while locals are sidelined.”

Additionally, he stressed the importance of local governance, saying, “This is why statehood was revoked—they wanted Jammu and Kashmir to be governed by outsiders, not locals.”

The Right to Statehood

Gandhi firmly asserted that restoring statehood is “your right and your future.” He insisted that Jammu and Kashmir cannot progress without it.

Furthermore, he pointed out broader issues affecting small and medium businesses across the country. He accused the current government of favoring large corporations like Ambani and Adani. “The GST and demonetization were tools used to clear the way for them,” he said, raising concerns about economic inequality.

Critique of ‘Make in India’

In a sharp critique, Gandhi rebranded the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative as the ‘Make in Adani’ program. He claimed that contracts under this policy primarily benefit the Adani Group.

In addition, he accused the BJP government and the Lieutenant Governor of undermining Jammu’s role as a central hub in the region. Their actions, he argued, have disrupted the production chain from the Valley to the rest of the country.

Conclusion: The Fight Continues

As the rally concluded, the message became clear: the fight for statehood and local governance in Jammu and Kashmir is far from over. Ultimately, the INDIA alliance stands ready to advocate for the rights of the people.