‘Reservation can’t be scrapped till untouchability exists’
*Alliance with NC forged to dislodge BJP, no ‘surrender’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 21: Avoiding direct reply on the stand of Congress Party on Article 370, All India Congress Committee president, Mallikarjun Kharge today said that his party agenda was to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and annual revival of Darbar Move practice.
“Our stand on Article 370 is clear as per the resolution adopted in the CWC meeting at Jaipur. Our main agenda will be to restore Statehood and the democracy in the Jammu and Kashmir,” AICC chief said while interacting with the media-persons in Jammu today.
He stressed the importance of restoring the “Darbar Move” practice for the economic prosperity of both Jammu and Kashmir regions, underlining that Congress is committed to the well-being and progress of the people, while the BJP is only focused on spreading lies and deceit.
“Except for promises BJP has done nothing for the people of Jammu and Kashmir for 10 long years. Now during elections, BJP is trying to rake up irrelevant issues to hide its failures”, Kharge said.
“Instead of focusing on the problems faced by the people, such as unemployment, lack of development, and the delay in restoring Statehood, the BJP is trying to mislead the public with irrelevant issues,” Kharge stated.
Defending his party’s decision to form a pre-poll alliance with the NC, he emphasized that the coalition was formed to oppose the BJP and RSS and it was a necessity, not `compulsion or a surrender’.
“This alliance was vital to defeat BJP and protect the country’s integrity from their misdeeds, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Highlighting the plight of Jammu and Kashmir, Kharge said, “Our priority is to defeat the BJP and save the country from their anti-poor policies. The BJP has been in power for over a decade in Jammu and Kashmir, yet they have failed to deliver on their promises. We are jointly fighting elections with the BJP”.
Terming the remarks as attributed to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi as “untrue”, Congress president said that reservation would continue until there is untouchability and a lack of social justice for various sections of the society in the country.
“Reservation cannot be scrapped until there is casteism in the Hindu religion. Until there is untouchability and lack of social justice, reservation will continue. It will continue till my death.
I will tell my children to fight for it,” Kharge told in a press conference here.
Replying to another question whether it was surrender for the Congress to give maximum seats to the National Conference (NC), Kharge said, “No, it was neither a surrender nor a compulsion for the Congress. The alliance is nationwide. It can be seen in Parliament too.”
He said that BJP’s promises, like providing 5 lakh jobs, are mere ‘Jumlas’-empty slogans.” He accused the BJP of delaying the restoration of Statehood, despite having the power to do so, and pointed out that the ruling party has allowed outsiders to dominate key sectors like mining and liquor contracts.
Kharge criticized the BJP for exploiting distractions, especially citing Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s comments on Article 370 as a smokescreen to conceal their ineffectiveness in governance.
AICC chief questioned, “Why has the BJP delayed restoring Statehood when they hold all the power? The people of J&K deserve better governance, and the BJP has failed to deliver.”
Elaborating on Congress’ plans, Kharge declared the party’s “seven guarantees” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The first and most important promise is the restoration of Statehood. Congress will leave no stone unturned in ensuring this”. “The second is the right to health for every family, with Rs 25 lakh health insurance, affordable healthcare, mobile clinics at the tehsil level, and super-specialty hospitals in every district,” he said.
Empowering women is also a priority, with Kharge promising Rs 3,000 for every woman head of the family. He also assured the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, constitutional rights for OBCs, a caste-based census, and safeguarding of land and job rights for the people of J&K.
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