On Saturday, the Youth Congress staged a protest against the BJP-led central government’s decision to increase the powers of the Lt Governor ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chanting slogans against the BJP, the protestors, led by Pradesh Youth Congress in-charge Maan Singh Rathore, gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in the city center. They attempted to march in protest of the rising terror activities in the region but were halted by police. Several activists were detained and transported in a police bus.
“We are protesting on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Recently, the Home Ministry issued an order enhancing the Lt Governor’s powers ahead of the Supreme Court’s deadline for holding assembly elections by September 30. This move resembles the governance model in Delhi, where the LG wields significant power instead of the elected chief minister,” Rathore stated.
He criticized the BJP for seemingly obstructing the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and urged the public to join protests demanding both the rollback of additional powers granted to the Lt Governor and the restoration of full statehood.