Senior leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), including Polit Bureau Coordinator Prakash Karat and MLA Mohd Yousuf Tarigami, have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his government’s promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Speaking at the CPI(M)’s 13th State Conference today, the leaders underscored the need for unity among secular forces to push for the restoration of J&K’s constitutional status.
Prakash Karat Calls for Action from Modi Government
Addressing the gathering, Prakash Karat condemned the actions taken by the Modi administration following the revocation of Article 370, which had granted special status to the region. He referred to the deprivation of statehood as a “great injustice” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Prime Minister to fulfill his earlier commitments. Karat reiterated that the CPI(M) would continue to highlight the Modi government’s failures on all fronts, both domestically and internationally.
Unresolved Issues with the US Deportations
During the conference, Karat also touched on a diplomatic concern regarding the treatment of Indian citizens deported from the United States. Recent pictures surfaced showing Indian nationals being humiliated and handcuffed while being deported, leading Karat to question the government’s response. “Prime Minister Modi should have raised this issue directly with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit,” Karat stated. “Indian citizens should not be subjected to such inhumane treatment. The Prime Minister’s silence on this matter is unacceptable.”
M Y Tarigami Urges Secular Unity
Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami also addressed the conference, emphasizing the importance of bringing together all secular parties in support of restoring J&K’s statehood. “This is not just a regional issue but a national one. The people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh deserve better,” Tarigami stated, adding that the BJP’s divisive propaganda should not distract from the pressing needs of the people.
He further highlighted the historical significance of J&K’s special laws, such as the state subject laws introduced by the Maharaja in 1927 to protect land and jobs for the locals. “This issue transcends community and region; it is about the rights and welfare of every resident of J&K and Ladakh,” Tarigami said.
Jammu’s Economic Struggles Under Scrutiny
The CPI(M) also pointed out the deteriorating economic conditions in Jammu, with rising unemployment and the cessation of the Darbar Move – a long-standing tradition that affected both the state’s economy and public sector workers. “People are suffering from economic uncertainty, and the so-called ‘nationalism’ promoted by the BJP is not a solution,” Tarigami remarked, calling for a renewed focus on the welfare of the people rather than political rhetoric.
A Call for Change
As the CPI(M) continues to push for the restoration of statehood and the protection of local rights, the party’s leadership insists that the political future of Jammu and Kashmir lies in the hands of its people, not in the hands of any government that disregards their aspirations.
