Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Members of the Gorkha community organized a large-scale protest against a recent resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which advocates restoring the region’s special status under Article 370.
Led by Karuna Chatri, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Gorkha Sabha, hundreds of protesters, including women and children, marched through the streets, voicing discontent with the National Conference (NC) Government and “Kashmir-centric leadership.” The protest culminated in the burning of effigies of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.
The resolution, passed on Wednesday, calls for the reinstatement of J&K’s former special status, which was removed in 2019. Gorkha leaders argued that the restoration of Article 370 would strip them of newfound rights, including voting, property ownership, and job eligibility. “For decades, the NC and other Kashmir-based leaders denied us our rights,” Chatri said, condemning the resolution as an attempt to reverse gains made after the abrogation of Article 370. Click here to watch video
Having migrated to J&K nearly 80 years ago to serve with the Dogra Army, the Gorkha community consists of approximately 30,000 families. For the first time, they exercised their voting rights in this year’s Assembly elections, the first since Article 370’s repeal. The protesters also advocated for the creation of a separate Jammu State, arguing it would enable leaders from Jammu to focus on the region’s development.
“We need our own State to ensure that Jammu’s unique needs are addressed,” said Sundar Gurkha, another protester.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
