SRINAGAR (Kashmir English): The Congress unit in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Saturday launched a chain hunger strike in Srinagar, led by its president, Tariq Hameed Karra, along with senior leaders, district coordinators, and party presidents, to press for the restoration of full statehood to the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to the media in Srinagar, Karra said the protest marks the anniversary of the ‘Quit India Movement’ and is part of a series of demonstrations planned across all districts.
Srinagar and Jammu will serve as central venues, with each district’s workers joining the strike on designated days. On August 10, Congress workers from south Kashmir’s Islamabad will stage their protest in Srinagar, coinciding with the start of the Jammu leg. Kathua workers will hold their protest in Jammu on August 11.
Karra said the hunger strike will continue until August 20, during the ongoing Parliament session, after which the party will review its strategy.
Mobilizing support for statehood
Over the past six months, he added, Congress has reached out across all 20 districts to mobilize support for statehood, organizing protests in Srinagar, Jammu, and Delhi despite workers facing detentions and police action.
He also said that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the Indian Prime Minister regarding the promise of restoring statehood to IIOJK.
Karra said that on August 5, the party observed Black Day in all districts of the territory.
