Rahul Gandhi Promises Statehood and Autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Sept 23: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, addressing a rally in Srinagar’s Shalteng, promised to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and ensure the region’s autonomy in its development. He firmly stated, “We want to give you statehood so that you can choose your own path of development, not be ruled by outsiders acting like kings.”

Gandhi assured that Congress would push the BJP to reinstate statehood, saying, “If they don’t, we will make sure it happens anyway.” He called the BJP’s revocation of J&K’s statehood a “historic injustice,” noting that typically Union Territories are upgraded to states, not the other way around.

Criticizing the BJP’s politics, Gandhi accused them of fostering division and prioritizing the interests of billionaires over ordinary citizens. “They pit one language against another, one state against another, and divide brothers,” he said.

Reflecting on his 4,000 km Bharat Yatra, Gandhi shared how he spread love and unity across the country, countering the BJP’s politics of hatred. He highlighted the BJP’s economic failures, pointing to loan waivers for the wealthy while neglecting the poor, farmers, and youth. “They have destroyed small businesses with GST and failed to provide employment,” he added.

Gandhi also promised 1 lakh jobs and a Rs 3000 unemployment stipend for youth in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need for the region to regain autonomy and control its own development.