Srinagar, Aug 20 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday lashed out at the central government, accusing it of ‘pushing the country from democracy towards autocracy’.
Speaking with reporters in Srinagar, Karra, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the recent actions of the ruling dispensation reflect a ‘hegemonic attitude’ that undermines democratic values.
“Day by day, the country is changing from democracy to autocracy, and what happened yesterday is one of the most important indicators of that shift,” Karra said.
The Congress leader also criticised the Centre’s decision to deploy 20 additional battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) exclusively for Kashmir, calling it a reflection of insecurity rather than confidence. “Instead of demilitarisation or de-escalation, they are adding more troops. Twenty thousand additional CRPF personnel for Kashmir only shows the fear that guides their policies,” Karra said.
Karra further expressed ‘disappointment and dismay’ over the non-passage of any bill regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in the ongoing Parliament session. “It is unfortunate that even today; there has been no movement on statehood. The people of J&K continue to be denied their rightful political and constitutional status,” he said.
Karra argued that the government’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir have consistently failed, whether in security, internal governance, or political reconciliation. He said that the current approach would only deepen alienation—(KNO)