Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Tariq Hameed Karra, expressed concerns on Tuesday, fearing potential 'subjugation’ of Indian Muslims under the guise of the Rohingya refugee issue.
Karra’s remarks came during a media interaction after a review meeting was held at party headquarters in Srinagar. He said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the Congress party's grassroots connections and strategizing future action plans.
Addressing the media, Karra, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the issue of Rohingya refugees was of basic human rights; including access to water and electricity, and that these were the guarantees under the ‘international convention.’
Karra, however, criticized efforts to curtail these essential services, calling such actions ‘a criminal act.’ "My concern lies with the Muslims of India, who should not be subjugated under the pretext of the Rohingya issue," he stated.
He also accused the BJP and RSS of promoting Islamophobia, expressing fears that this approach could further alienate and marginalize Indian Muslims.
Notably, Karra's remarks come in response to a question in the wake of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's assertion that essential services for Rohingya refugees cannot be disconnected arbitrarily.
During the interaction, Karra also highlighted the Congress Party's plans to culturally and religiously connect with society while addressing issues at the grassroots level. He also called for a census before they take any decision or position on reservation policy.
The JKPCC chief, however, refrained from commenting on whether the Congress high command had sought any explanation from him on some reported dissolution of local units. He said that he does not want to speak on those who were ‘deadwood’ in the Congress party—(KNO)