The Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir moved swiftly on Friday to distance itself from a senior functionary's controversial statement that appeared to back a BJP legislator's call for granting separate statehood to the Jammu region. The party's state leadership issued a firm repudiation, reiterating its unwavering stand for the unity of Jammu and Kashmir and the restoration of its full statehood.
Congress Clarifies Official Stance
Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Karra made it explicitly clear that the party had nothing to do with the position taken by former MP Lal Singh. Karra explained that the initial statement advocating for a separate Jammu state was made by BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma. When Lal Singh was later asked for his opinion, he merely stated he had no objection, framing it as a personal view.
"Such comments by individuals should not be taken seriously," Karra emphasized. He highlighted the sensitive nature of the region, stating, "J&K is a very sensitive region. Congress has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir must remain united and that its full statehood should be restored."
Opposition to Further Fragmentation
Karra launched a pointed critique at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, holding it responsible for the initial fragmentation of the former state. He argued that the BJP had already divided Jammu and Kashmir by turning it into two Union Territories in 2019, a move the Congress strongly opposed.
"We are already opposed to this one fragmentation. How can we support any further division?" Karra questioned, underlining the party's consistent position against any move that would splinter the region further.
The Controversial Comments That Sparked the Row
The controversy erupted after former Congress MP Lal Singh, on Thursday, voiced support for BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma's push for a separate Jammu state. Singh had stated he saw nothing wrong with the idea, citing the earlier separation of Ladakh as a precedent that did not negatively impact the region.
"Ladakh was made separate. It did not affect anything. The only issue is that there should not be any break from the country," Singh had remarked in Jammu. He further argued in favor of creating smaller states, claiming they improve governance and accelerate development. To illustrate his point, he made a sweeping suggestion that even Uttar Pradesh should be divided into 15 states, each with its own chief minister to ensure better reach to every household.
The Congress's swift disavowal of these remarks underscores the deep political sensitivities surrounding the status of Jammu and Kashmir. It reinforces the party's official line, which champions the territorial unity of the region while demanding the reversal of its 2019 downgrade to Union Territory status. This incident highlights the ongoing political debate over J&K's future administrative structure, a topic that remains central to the region's politics.
