Srinagar, 11 August (H.S.): Senior Congress leader and All India Congress Committee (AICC) Chairman of Media and Publicity Pawan Khera today said that the party’s ongoing hunger strike in Jammu and Kashmir for the restoration of Statehood will compel the Centre to act.
Speaking to reporters after joining the chain hunger strike in Srinagar, which began today and will continue till August 21, excluding August 15 and 16, under the “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq” campaign, Khera said thousands of supporters, representing 1.4 crore people, are backing the agitation. He cited the Congress party’s history of forcing Governments to yield under public pressure and noted that similar hunger strikes are being held elsewhere in the country.
Over the next 10 days, Khera said representatives from different districts will take part in the protest. He recalled that during heavy rains in Delhi, police tried to stop demonstrators at Jantar Mantar, but they continued.
“The Congress Party is a relentless party; we will fight,” he said, adding that Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra helped him understand people’s pain, reflected in the manifesto’s promise to restore Statehood.
Backing Gandhi’s recent allegation that the Centre “stole votes,” Khera criticised the Election Commission for asking Gandhi to submit an affidavit. “We are asking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Gupta to give us an affidavit that if this is true, he will resign,” Khera said.
On foreign policy, Khera alleged that the Modi Government stands isolated globally, citing India’s position during “Operation Sindoor” when “no country spoke against Pakistan.”
He criticised Modi for previously hosting Pakistan’s leadership and claimed neighbouring countries are now “against” India.
Khera also attacked the Centre over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, accusing Modi of showing concern for farmers only after the tariff. “When 750 farmers were killed, they were denied entry into Delhi and called Khalistani. Now suddenly you remember farmers,” he said.
“Donald Trump should also understand India is much bigger and more permanent than Modi,” he added, recalling how Indira Gandhi stood up to U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1971.
On security, Khera questioned why Modi agreed to a ceasefire despite the Indian Air Force chief’s claim that five Pakistani fighter jets were destroyed during “Operation Sindoor.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar