Jammu

As Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) marked its Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day on Thursday for the second year, Congress Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma announced that the party would not take part in the celebrations. He criticized the Central government for failing to fulfill its repeated promises to restore statehood to J&K and for not delivering on several significant electoral commitments.

In an interview, Sharma extended Diwali wishes to the nation, emphasizing the significance of the festival, which celebrates Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. He expressed disappointment that instead of celebrating Statehood Day, the government opted to observe UT Foundation Day, highlighting the anger of J&K’s citizens who feel deceived. Sharma pointed out that lavish advertisements praising the UT’s status cannot mask the people’s dissatisfaction and sense of loss regarding the Dogra state.

He also remarked on the lack of acknowledgment for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, calling for remembrance of her contributions. Furthermore, Sharma critiqued the government’s plans for ‘One Nation, One Election’ and the Uniform Civil Code, questioning their feasibility and expressing concern over the division being sown among communities. He stressed the importance of unity, aligning with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision to maintain the nation’s strength.