Srinagar: Launching a scathing attack against the Centre, Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was directly "under assault" from New Delhi and now the centre should restore statehood in the region so that elections could be held transparently. Rahul, who is currently on a two-day visit to Kashmir, said that he is speaking against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies because he is dividing India.
Speaking at the party office in Srinagar, he said, "At present, the Center is not only attacking Jammu and Kashmir but also Tamil Nadu, Bengal and other states in India. But one thing is clear that Jammu and Kashmir is under direct assault while other states are being indirectly assaulted." He claimed that "the stand of the Congress on Jammu and Kashmir is clear. The restoration of the statehood of J&K should be expedited and the Assembly elections should be held transparently."
Responding to the demand of his colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad, he said, "I am not allowed to speak in Parliament. I cannot speak against Rafael, unemployment and corruption. They (BJP) have muzzled the judiciary, Lok Sabha and even the media." "When there was a Congress government, schemes like Udaan were launched, panchayat elections were held. We got the experts from the University of Kashmir, sent the youth for training in other states. However, today those people (BJP) have assaulted this process too."
Referring to the plight of the Kashmiri people, he said, "I am with you. I want to build a relationship with you based on love and respect. I am fighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ideology which is dividing the country. I will continue to fight until victory is achieved."
"People here believe in love and respect and if you want to do something for them, it has to be on that basis. Nothing can be gained from hatred," he said, adding, "I tried to come here during the pandemic and after the abrogation of J&K's special status, but I wasn't allowed. "
Speaking about his roots in Kashmir, he said, "Today my family lives in Delhi, before that we used to live at Allahbad and before that in Kashmir. My family must have also drunk Jhelum water. I too have a bit of Kashmiriyat in me. I will soon go to Jammu and Ladakh."
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