Rahul calls for restoration of J&K statehood
SRINAGAR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre of launching an assault on every institution in the country, saying that the Opposition wasn’t being allowed to raise important issues such as the farm bills, snooping, unemployment and corruption in Parliament.
The Congress leader also called for the restoration of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, and the conduct of free and fair elections in the Union Territory without any delay.
Addressing party workers after inaugurating a party unit at MA road, Gandhi said: “We are not allowed to speak in Parliament on issues like farm bills, Pegasus (snooping controversy), corruption, Rafale (deal) and unemployment. Whether it’s the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, judiciary or other institutions of the country, they are facing an onslaught. Even people from the press can’t write or speak. They are afraid that if they write they will lose their jobs.”
“There is not only an attack on Jammu & Kashmir, but there is also an indirect attack in the rest of the country on all institutions,” he added.
Bharatiya Janata Party state spokesperson Altaf Thakur refuted the allegations, saying that Parliament members were always allowed to speak in both the Houses. “Unfortunately, Rahul Gandhi doesn’t want to speak in Parliament or his party has asked him not to speak there, so it’s not the BJP’S fault.”
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who also arrived in Srinagar earlier in the day, batted for land and job rights for its residents. “The (assembly) elections...should be conducted soon. But before the elections, the statehood should be restored, which is very important. Kashmiri Pandits should be brought back,” he said.