(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Jammu- The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has intensified its campaign for the restoration of statehood by announcing a series of protests beginning this week, including a 'Delhi Chalo' march and a symbolic gherao of Parliament during the upcoming Monsoon session.

Announcing the schedule, J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra said that the party will stage a protest in Kashmir on July 19 and in Jammu on July 20, before heading to Delhi.“Workers from every block and district will participate in the 'Delhi Chalo' campaign on July 21, led by Congress, to raise the statehood issue in the national capital alongside leaders from the INDIA bloc,” Karra said.

The Monsoon session of Parliament is set to begin the same day, giving the opposition a strategic platform to highlight their demand.

Calling the campaign a“significant movement”, Karra said,“We aim to raise our voice both in Parliament and on the streets. Without the intervention of the Congress and its INDIA allies, restoring statehood is impossible.”

The Congress leader claimed support from 233 INDIA bloc MPs, including 100 Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha. A joint letter from Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Modi has also called for legislation in this session to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and extend Sixth Schedule protections to Ladakh.

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Reacting to Omar Abdullah's remarks thanking the Congress, Karra said,“We are not just issuing press statements. Our fight has been from the grassroots up. It's not about who claims credit-it's about who does the work.”

On the question of Article 370, Karra reiterated that the Congress has moved past that debate.“Since the Supreme Court upheld the government's move, our focus is only on achievable goals-full statehood.”

He also criticised the current dual control system under the Reorganisation Act, calling it harmful to governance and development.“People are being sensitised at block and district levels. Until statehood is restored, this confusion and stagnation will persist,” he said.

Karra thanked the top Congress leadership for keeping the issue alive.“From grassroots workers to Parliament, our party stands united in this fight. Unfortunately, the BJP continues to remain indifferent to the people's aspirations.”

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